Source: UN News: Monday, January 19, 2026 00:01 AM
It has been 1,000 days since Sudan erupted into violent conflict between rival military forces, leading to the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis, and it shows no signs of abating. In these circumstances, it is proving to be a big challenge for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), which is struggling with limited resources, to deliver life-saving food aid to the needy people. Since fighting began in April 2023, the UN agency has delivered emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance to more than 10 million people in Sudan, the majority of whom are men, women and children facing extremely vulnerable situations. Tweet URL
WFPis providing emergency food relief to an average of 4 million people per month, including those living in the capital Khartoum and Al Jazeera, in addition to the Darfur and Kordofan regions. These areas were difficult to reach in the past. Ross Smith, WFP director for emergency preparedness and response, warned that aid efforts have made progress with great difficulty, but are now in reverse. “WFP has been forced to cut supplies, which are now bare minimum for survival. By the end of March, our food stocks in Sudan will be exhausted.” He said that if additional aid funding is not secured immediately, he said, Millions of people will be without essential food assistance within weeks. Over the past six months, WFP has delivered food assistance regularly every month to some 1.8 million people facing or at risk of famine. Most recently, other initiatives, including a joint UN convoy in Kadugli in the Kordofan region, have made it possible to reach families who have been cut off from assistance for several months. 1,000 Days Violent conflict erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s armed forces and its past ally paramilitary forces (RSF) over differences over control of the country. On October 26 last year, the RSF captured Al Fashar, the capital of North Darfur province, after a 1.5-year siege, leading to mass displacement and allegations of atrocities. After this, the fighting has now concentrated in the Kordofan region. After more than two years of fighting, 21 million people in Sudan are facing hunger crisis. Famine has been confirmed in many parts of the country where food relief could not be delivered by aid workers due to months of fighting. 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, making it the largest displacement crisis in the world. WFP Sudan’s more than two-year-long war has resulted in millions of casualties and a massive food and displacement crisis. Appeal for support: According to the UN agency, 37 lakh children and pregnant and lactating women in Sudan are victims of malnutrition. According to recent surveys, malnutrition is at record levels in some places in North Darfur province, where more than half the young child population is vulnerable. WFP Director Ross Smith said that as the fighting continues each day, local families and communities are being pushed to the brink. “We can turn the tide and prevent famine from spreading further, but only if we have the money to support the most vulnerable families.” The UN agency has appealed for $700 million in immediate funding for its relief operation to reach populations in need from January to June this year.
