Friday, April 28, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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Even thousands of miles away, you can be a powerful advocate for the food aid that Sudanese civilians desperately need.
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces is worsening hunger in the impoverished country. It’s urgent there be a ceasefire to stop the violence and prevent starvation, potentially for millions. So far, several ceasefire attempts have failed.
Even before the conflict erupted, there were 15 million people in Sudan living in severe hunger, more than a third of the population. But the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is short on funding for Sudan relief. Funding is not keeping pace with rising humanitarian needs.
WFP’s mission in Sudan is going to get more difficult. Other charities in Sudan such as Save the Children, UNICEF and CARE also need more funding.
Public support here is crucial. That is where we all can play a vital role in holding fundraisers and being an advocate. Writing to representatives in Congress about global food aid can make a big difference as well. Make it known that feeding hungry war victims in Sudan and other war-torn countries must be a priority.
The safe delivery of humanitarian aid must immediately be restored in Sudan. The World Food Program temporarily suspended operations in Sudan because three staff members were killed by combatants. Two other WFP staff members were injured.
Humanitarian workers must be protected from the hostilities so they can carry out their life-saving missions.
Cindy McCain, the director of the WFP, said: “All parties must come to an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.
“They remain our top priority,” she said.
Food distributions have been interrupted in many areas because of the fighting. Humanitarian supplies have been looted and need to be replaced.
With war unfolding around them, Sudanese civilians don’t know where or when they can get food again. Many families are trapped in the crossfire.
Food supplies will be out of reach for the most vulnerable in Sudan if fighting does not stop. Malnutrition can be deadly very quickly, especially for infants.
According to CARE, close to 4 million children under the age of 5, as well as pregnant and lactating women, are acutely malnourished. Drought, floods and disease outbreaks have worsened the humanitarian crisis.
The needs inside Sudan, which were already significant, are going to be much larger because of this latest outbreak of violence. Funding needs will increase.
The people of Sudan need our help as war and hunger are now rapidly and dangerously escalating. If everyone gets involved we can make sure food is provided for Sudan’s war victims.
William Lambers, an author, partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the book “Ending World Hunger.” He wrote this for the Miami Herald.
