High Risk Of Famine South Of Khartoum: WFP

Geneva: Areas south of Khartoum, war-ravaged Sudan's capital, are at high risk of famine, the UN's World Food Programme warned Tuesday, appealing for funds to plug a huge food aid shortfall.

Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said the agency had found "severe" levels of hunger in Jabal Awliya, a town around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Khartoum.

Bukera was speaking after returning from Khartoum State, where WFP opened a new office in Omdurman, a part of greater Khartoum.

"The needs are immense," he told a press briefing in Geneva, speaking from Port Sudan.

"We saw widespread destruction, limited access to water, healthcare and electricity, and a cholera outbreak. In parts of the city, life is returning -- but many neighbourhoods remain abandoned, like a ghost city".

Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023.

Tens of thousands of people have died and 13 million have been displaced, including four million abroad, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"WFP is deeply concerned, and meeting basic needs -- especially food -- is critical and urgent," said Bukera.

The RSF lost control of Khartoum in March.

"Several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine," Bukera said.

The WFP now has access to the area and can make regular aid deliveries and said it was doing everything to bring the local population back from the brink of famine.

"The level of hunger, destitution and desperation" at the first distributions in Jabal Awliya last month was "severe, and basically confirmed the risk of famine in those areas," Bukera said.

"The international community must act now -- by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest-hit areas and to invest in Sudan's recovery."

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