Sudan aid cuts worsen hunger, malnutrition
World Food Programme cuts and crop failure leave families struggling for food as prices soar in Darfur.
Displaced families and vulnerable communities across Sudan are facing a deepening hunger crisis due to cuts in food aid and widespread crop failure. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced assistance, while East Darfur has experienced a near-total crop failure, leaving households without food and income. Residents in Sheairia report soaring prices, worsening malnutrition, and shortages of essential medicines and therapeutic food for children.
Carl Skau, the WFP's acting executive director, stated the agency has the capacity to help millions but is running out of money. The General Coordination for Displaced People and Refugees warns that reduced aid could force families to skip meals and sell possessions. Spokesperson Adam Rijal said funding shortages threaten essential meals and could lead to desperate measures like withdrawing children from school.
Farmers in East Darfur harvested almost nothing of their main crops, including groundnuts and millet, leading to food insecurity. A sack of millet now costs around SDG 350,000, with prices for onions, cooking oil, and sugar also significantly high. Pregnant women struggle to get adequate diets, and children suffer from malnutrition, with limited supplies of therapeutic food available.
Why it mattersDisplaced families and vulnerable communities in Sudan face increased hunger and malnutrition due to reduced food aid and crop failures.