العربية
The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a significant expansion of its humanitarian efforts in Sudan, targeting millions of individuals trapped in dire conflict zones. On Friday, a WFP convoy successfully reached the Zamzam camp in North Darfur—marking the first delivery of aid there since famine was declared three months ago.
This escalation involves over 700 trucks carrying emergency food aid to communities across Sudan, including 14 critical “hotspot” areas experiencing severe food insecurity and the looming threat of famine. The convoy is delivering 17,500 tonnes of food, sufficient to support 1.5 million people for one month.
Delivering More Than Food
Laurent Bukera, WFP Regional Director for Eastern Africa, emphasized the urgency of the operation:
“These trucks carry more than just food; they carry a lifeline for people caught in the crossfire of conflict and hunger. We need guaranteed safe passage for our trucks and sustained international support to reach every family at risk.”
Since September, WFP has been delivering aid to an average of two million people monthly across Sudan. With this latest surge, they aim to reach even more.
A Nation in Crisis
Sudan is grappling with one of the world’s most severe hunger crises, fueled by ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). An estimated 4.7 million children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition.
The Zamzam convoy, which took two weeks to travel from Chad’s Adre border crossing, represents a critical breakthrough after months of blocked access due to intense fighting and the rainy season. Meanwhile, WFP has relied on locally sourced food to sustain 100,000 people in the camp during September and October.
Scaling Up Efforts
So far in 2024, WFP has reached seven million people in Sudan and plans to assist more than eight million by year-end. A recent three-month extension of the Adre border crossing agreement with Sudanese authorities has been a vital step in ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian aid. WFP has urged all border crossings to remain open and operational to facilitate lifesaving assistance.
For more details, visit the UN News article on WFP operations in Sudan.