More than 2.7 million people are already caught up in a food insecurity crisis in Sudan, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
The United Nations says it is launching a global appeal to raise nearly $2 billion in humanitarian aid for the country.
The funds are aimed at “saving lives” among internally displaced people, recent returnees, and Sudanese vulnerable to famine, the UN says.
According to the UN, millions of Sudanese are once again facing starvation.
One in three Sudanese will need humanitarian assistance in 2022, or more than 14 million people, the UN said.
This is about 800,000 more people than in 2021.
And of this number, more than nine million will need emergency assistance, the international organisation warns.
“Humanitarian partners are seeking $1.9 billion to provide humanitarian assistance and support to 10.9 million of the most vulnerable people,” says Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, in a statement seen by APA on Monday.
The plan provides for the preparation of the response to recurrent floods, conflicts and epidemics, it says.
Priority life-saving services include essential health services, prevention and treatment of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, access to education, livelihoods, water and sanitation, the statement points out.
“The food insecurity is due to a macroeconomic crisis, which is leading to exceptionally high rates of inflation,” the UN agency says, reporting an increase in inflation of “more than 300 percent over one year.”
According to the UN, humanitarian partners have so far helped more than 7 million people in need.
About 5 million people have received food and livelihood assistance, and 2.4 million people have been able to access health services.
However, the UN notes that in many cases the full range of assistance or services provided were not complete, as agencies had to reduce or restrict the scope of their response due to lack of funding.
ARD/cgd/lb/as/APA