Sudan, the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, is facing a devastating famine that is threatening the lives of millions of people. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recently allowed 15 UN aid lorries to cross the border from Chad to bring much-needed food to the starving population. While this is a small step towards alleviating the crisis, aid agencies fear it may be too little, too late.
The roots of Sudan’s hunger crisis lie in decades of economic mismanagement, devastating wars, and drought exacerbated by the climate crisis. However, the trigger for the current famine is the use of starvation as a weapon in the ongoing conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF has rampaged through Sudanese communities, pillaging and destroying vital infrastructure, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. The situation is particularly dire in Darfur, where aid groups have reported famine levels of malnutrition in displaced people camps.
Efforts to provide aid to the starving population are being hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and the ongoing conflict between the warring parties. Peace talks in Geneva failed to make substantive progress, with the main backers of the two sides – the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia – unable to come to an understanding.
As the fighting continues and the hunger deepens, the people of Sudan are hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, the signs are not hopeful, and the international community must act quickly to prevent further loss of life in Sudan.
