UN Says 19.5 Million in Sudan Face Acute Hunger as Famine Risk Rises

Overview

• UN officials, citing FAO, WFP and UNICEF, said nearly 19.5 million people face crisis-level hunger and flagged 14 areas at risk of famine in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan.
• Humanitarian partners planned to reach 4.8 million people each month between February and May, yet only about 3.13 million people received aid in February.
• FAO, WFP and UNICEF called for an immediate ceasefire and urgent funding for food, emergency crop support, nutrition, health care, clean water and sanitation, and help to rebuild livelihoods.
• OCHA reported life-saving support in North Kordofan, with water and sanitation reaching about 85,000 people in Sheikan and Ar Rahad, household items for 2,000 displaced families, and cash to 200 families in Taggat.
• In South Kordofan, nearly 88,000 people received water and sanitation support, and OCHA said fighting still puts civilians at grave risk, while $12 million was set aside for famine relief in neighboring South Sudan.