The UN warns of “unprecedented levels” of needs in Sudan

The United Nations warned on Tuesday that humanitarian needs in Sudan were increasing to “unprecedented levels”.

Especially in light of the availability of only 9 percent of the funding for its humanitarian plan for the country, which amounts to 1.9 billion dollars.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said that humanitarian needs are increasing to unprecedented levels in Sudan.

During a press conference in New York, Haq attributed the increased needs to “the economic crisis, long droughts and irregular rains last year.”

“The number of people facing acute food insecurity is expected to double,” he added.

He explained that “their number will rise from 9.8 million people last year to 18 million by September 2022.”

And he added, “Crop and livestock production has also halved in 14 states across Sudan (out of 18) compared to the average of the past five years.”

Haq stated that “the local production of grain covers only the needs of less than two-thirds of the population (the total population is about 42 million people).”

The conflict in Ukraine also caused a further rise in food prices, as the price of wheat increased by 180 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the UN spokesperson.

And since last February 24, Russia has launched a military offensive in its neighbor Ukraine and countries that are major suppliers of wheat.

Haq added, “We appeal to partners to provide more than $1.9 billion to help 14.3 million people in Sudan this year (2022).”

“So far, our humanitarian plan has been funded by only 9 percent,” he said.