SUDAN WAR! UAE leads 16 other countries to tackle food security in war ravaged nation

The governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania, Chad, Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Seychelles, Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria have expressed concern over what they describe as an alarming food security situation and the risk of famine in Sudan.

In a joint statement issued at the weekend, the countries were responding to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report published on June 27^th, 2024, which indicated that 14 months into the conflict, “Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded by the IPC in the country”.

“The disturbing results in the report reveal an unprecedented level of food insecurity in Sudan, leaving 25.6 million people in high levels of acute food insecurity and 14 areas at risk of famine,” the statement reads in part.

“We are particularly concerned about the IPC reporting a “stark and rapid deterioration” in food security and the dire impact of the deteriorating situation on the safety and well-being of the civilians, including many thousands of children, suffering from severe acute malnutrition,” it adds.

As a result, the countries appeal to the warring factions to cease fire and allow safe passage of humanitarian assistance in line with UN Security Council’s request for the parties to the conflict to allow the rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, including by removing bureaucratic and other impediments.

“We recall the UN Security Council’s call on the warring parties to allow and facilitate rapid, safe, sustained, and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief to civilians in need, including by removing bureaucratic and other impediments,” the statement emphasised.

They stressed the need to facilitate visas and travel permits for humanitarian workers and essential supplies, as outlined in Security Council Resolution 2736, adopted on June 13, 2024.

The statement warned of potential displacement, refugee crises, and migration issues, urging a coordinated international response to this escalating crisis.

The governments urged Sudan’s warring parties to cease hostilities immediately, adhere to international humanitarian law, and comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions.

“We call on the warring parties in Sudan to immediately cease hostilities, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions,” the statement read.

They also called on foreign actors to stop providing armed or material support to the warring parties and to refrain from actions that could exacerbate the conflict.

The statement called on the international community to deliver an immediate and coordinated response to meet the urgent needs of those affected in Sudan.

“The international community must increase humanitarian assistance, support IPC recommendations to scale up nutrition interventions, restore productive systems, and improve data collection,” it urged.

The governments called for coordinated efforts to achieve a sustainable solution to the conflict and ensure the well-being and safety of the Sudanese people.