Nairobi, September 21 — On Sunday, the World Food Program released a report highlighting the significant increase in the prices of essential commodities in Sudan, making it difficult for households to afford basic necessities.
The surge in prices have created a “critical food insecurity situation” which impacts over half the population. Vulnerable families are facing increasingly dire circumstances, the report said.
Wheat flour prices went up by 25% from August to September — rising nearly 200% from the same period last year. The average price of goats had also increase from 277% from the same period last year.
The value of the Sudanese pound also depreciated, falling 2% and marking a 225% decline in value since September 2023.
This news comes after the United Nations Human Rights Council said last week that “never in modern history have so many people faced starvation and famine as in Sudan today.” The council said that 97 percent of Sudan’s internally displaced along with civilians who’ve remained, are facing severe levels of hunger. They also accused the warring parties of using “starvation tactics” against civilians.
Zamzam Famine
Zamzam camp in North Darfur, one of the largest for the internal displaced which hosts over 500,000 people, is experiencing severe famine conditions. A screening conducted by Doctors Without Borders reported last month indicated alarming levels of malnutrition among children. Last week, the organization said that a supply blockade by the warring parties had forced them to stop care for 5,000 malnourished children in Zamzam.
“There is an urgent need for a massive supply of nutritional products and food to help people, it is currently a catastrophic situation,” said Michel-Olivier Lacharité, MSF’s head of emergency operations in a statement.
Adre Crossing Fees
When the Adre border between Sudan and Chad was reopened in August it was hailed as a moment for humanitarian aid and supplies to be delivered. WFP delivered trucks of supplies to communities at risk of famine.
However, Darfur24 has found that now the Chadian authorities are preventing cars and trucks from crossing and imposing high fees on goods imported to Darfur by horse-drawn vehicles. On the Sudanese side, controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), large fees are also being imposed when entering the territory.