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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a pause in its distribution of essential food and nutrition aid due to a surge in violence in the region. This halt in operations comes as security concerns escalate, prompting WFP’s partners in refugee camps to evacuate their personnel for safety reasons.
Spokesperson Leni Kinzli highlighted the dire situation in Zamzam, where the recent violence has resulted in the destruction of the central market. With an estimated population of around half a million residing in the camp, the disruption has significantly hindered access to vital food supplies.
For nearly two years, government forces have been at conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia that was once their ally. The RSF has taken control of much of Darfur and has been besieging the city of El Fasher, which lies in close proximity to Zamzam.
On February 11, the RSF launched an assault on the camp, leading to several days of violent clashes with army troops and their allies, as reported by various news outlets.
Severe Consequences for Residents
“The situation is critical; people, and especially children, are already succumbing to hunger in Zamzam,” Kinzli stated. “Halting our operations will exacerbate this dire situation.”
Before the onset of heavy shelling that forced a suspension of aid activities, WFP and its partners had provided food vouchers to around 60,000 individuals. These vouchers enable families to purchase essential items—like cereals, pulses, oil, and salt—directly from local markets supported by private suppliers.
As Kinzli explained, the WFP has been diligently working to ensure that essential aid reaches those in desperate need, constantly navigating the numerous challenges posed by ongoing violence and unstable conditions.
In response to the increasing difficulties in traditional aid delivery, the WFP has implemented an online self-registration platform aimed at providing cash-based support to communities isolated by conflict, such as those in Zamzam. “This initiative has been successfully deployed in other regions of Sudan, including Khartoum, where it received significant engagement from local populations,” Kinzli noted, adding that the system remains functional despite problematic communication networks.
Once individuals register on the platform, they can receive digital transfers through a mobile money application, allowing them to access critical resources until circumstances improve and humanitarian teams can safely operate again.
Urgent Need for Resumption of Aid
In a call to action, Kinzli emphasized the necessity of resuming the distribution of life-saving aid in and around Zamzam. The delivery must be conducted safely and at scale, requiring a cessation of hostilities and assurances of safety for humanitarian workers.
Currently, in 2024, two-thirds of the population living in famine-affected regions of Sudan rely on WFP support. However, humanitarian groups warn that this assistance is insufficient in the face of growing needs.
“Consistent, monthly deliveries to communities facing starvation are essential to combat the famine in Sudan,” cautioned the WFP, highlighting that access to these vulnerable areas remains sporadic and unreliable.
As it stands, two million individuals across 27 locations in Sudan find themselves at the threshold of famine or are already experiencing its devastating effects.
Source
news.un.org