{"id":20111355,"date":"2025-01-07T17:15:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T16:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20111355"},"modified":"2025-01-07T17:15:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T16:15:15","slug":"unsc-intl-chorus-lauds-action-on-sudan-famine-as-millions-face-hunger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/unsc-intl-chorus-lauds-action-on-sudan-famine-as-millions-face-hunger","title":{"rendered":"UNSC: Int\u2019l chorus lauds action on Sudan famine as millions face hunger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sudan\u2019s worsening famine crisis, driven by the ongoing war and collapsing food systems, has been projected to leave over 630,000 people facing famine by May 2025, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. Discussed at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) headquarters in New York yesterday, the crisis marks Sudan as the only country where famine has been declared in 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudan\u2019s worst famine<\/a>\u00a0in decades has already engulfed five areas, including displaced persons\u2019 camps in\u00a0North Darfur<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0South Kordofan<\/a>, with 17 more regions at high risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced millions, dismantled\u00a0food systems<\/a>, and left over half the population acutely food insecure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Children are acutely malnourished, preventable diseases are spreading, and basic services are collapsing,” said\u00a0James Kariuki<\/a>, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Kingdom has doubled its aid to Sudan to nearly $140 million, urging the international community to increase\u00a0support for the UN<\/a>\u00a0and local responders. Kariuki criticised Sudanese authorities for withdrawing from the IPC system, warning that denying the crisis will only worsen suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He welcomed the SAF\u2019s commitments to establish humanitarian supply hubs and opening of the\u00a0Adr\u00e9 crossing<\/a> but called for immediate, unhindered access to all affected areas, including those under RSF control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Aid in jeopardy\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the UNSC meeting, Edem Wosornu, Director of\u00a0OCHA\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Operations and Advocacy Division, stressed the need for urgent funding, expedited permits for aid workers, and the reopening of commercial supply routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She highlighted that Sudan\u2019s\u00a0Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan<\/a>\u00a0for 2025 requires $4.2 billion to support 21 million people, with an additional $1.8 billion needed for refugees in neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With famine spreading and the humanitarian situation deteriorating, Wosornu described Sudan\u2019s crisis as “man-made” and\u00a0unprecedented in scale<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food and Agriculture Organisation<\/a>\u00a0Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol states that Sudan\u2019s agricultural production has plummeted by 46 per cent, with most farmers unable to cultivate due to insecurity. She warned that millions of lives are at risk without immediate\u00a0agricultural assistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018US accuses Russia of duplicity\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US accused Russia of funding both sides of Sudan\u2019s conflict during the UNSC session, alleging Moscow\u2019s involvement in the country\u2019s lucrative gold trade. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticised\u00a0Russia\u2019s November veto<\/a>\u00a0of a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia\u2019s Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy rejected the accusations, accusing the US of exploiting global crises for its own enrichment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia and China voiced strong opposition, questioning the legitimacy of the IPC report. Russia, which rejected the declaration of famine, suggested that instead of focusing on hunger, the international community should prioritise agricultural development and food distribution efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Chinese delegate<\/a>\u00a0emphasised the need for impartiality and professionalism in reporting on Sudan’s humanitarian situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan voiced concerns about foreign intervention, echoing Sudan\u2019s objections to external involvement in the country\u2019s internal conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan\u2019s\u00a0dismissed reports of famine<\/a>\u00a0in Darfur as \u201cpure fabrication\u201d during his televised address on Sudan\u2019s Independence Day.<\/p>\n