Health Ministry: 13 million Sudanese suffer food shortages

The federal Minister of Health, Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, revealed that a survey conducted by the ministry in 13 states in Sudan indicates that around 13 million people suffer from food shortages and that a third of the Sudanese population is suffering from malnutrition. During a food security workshop organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Abu Garda said malnutrition is one of the three main causes of infant mortality under the age of five. He pointed out that 1 out of 3 children suffers from malnutrition and that approximately 1 out of 12 Sudanese children suffers from severe famine. The minister also stated that, according to the survey, 15 % of the Sudanese population are suffering from malnutrition and 14 % are without health insurance coverage or health services. The governmental report on food security indicates that the Red Sea, Blue Nile, South Kordofan, South and West Darfur states are mostly affected by food insecurity. Furthermore, it mentions the lower consumption of food in the states of Darfur due to the unstable security situation, displacement and lack of access to food.Photo: Crying refugee child (file)

The federal Minister of Health, Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, revealed that a survey conducted by the ministry in 13 states in Sudan indicates that around 13 million people suffer from food shortages and that a third of the Sudanese population is suffering from malnutrition.

During a food security workshop organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Abu Garda said malnutrition is one of the three main causes of infant mortality under the age of five. He pointed out that 1 out of 3 children suffers from malnutrition and that approximately 1 out of 12 Sudanese children suffers from severe famine. The minister also stated that, according to the survey, 15 % of the Sudanese population are suffering from malnutrition and 14 % are without health insurance coverage or health services.

The governmental report on food security indicates that the Red Sea, Blue Nile, South Kordofan, South and West Darfur states are mostly affected by food insecurity. Furthermore, it mentions the lower consumption of food in the states of Darfur due to the unstable security situation, displacement and lack of access to food.

Photo: Crying refugee child (file)