The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sudan’s Al-Gezira State, one of 17 regions identified as at risk of famine, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
In a statement, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, highlighted the dire situation in Al-Gezira, where residents face severe shortages of essential resources, including food, clean water, and health services. Haq noted that malnutrition is widespread, exacerbating the challenges for the region’s population.
For the first time in over a year, the World Food Programme (WFP) successfully delivered humanitarian aid to Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Gezira. Eleven trucks carrying 260 tons of food and supplies arrived in the city on Sunday. The delivery is expected to provide critical relief to over 20,000 people in the area.
Humanitarian partners are also planning a comprehensive needs assessment in Wad Madani to better understand the scale of the crisis. Immediate access to clean water has been identified as a top priority, as most water stations in the city remain non-operational. Residents are forced to rely on unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and other health issues.
The OCHA has called for increased resources to address the escalating crisis and emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians. Reports of shootings, restrictions on movement, and gender-based violence in the region further compound the challenges faced by local communities.
The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced more than 10 million people, according to UN data. The conflict has caused widespread destruction and left millions of Sudanese either internally displaced or seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan underscores the pressing need for international support and coordinated relief efforts. UN agencies and their partners continue to urge the global community to contribute resources to mitigate the suffering of vulnerable populations and address the root causes of the crisis.
