Latest news with #LaurentBukera
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Famine Risk Stalks South Of Sudan's Capital Khartoum: World Food Programme
Khartoum, Sudan: Areas around the south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum are at high risk of famine, the World Food Programme warned on Tuesday, calling for an immediate international response. Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said the UN agency had found "severe" levels of hunger in Jabal Awliya, a town around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Khartoum. Mr Bukera was speaking after returning from Khartoum State, where WFP opened a new office in Omdurman, a part of greater Khartoum. "The needs are immense," he told a press briefing in Geneva, speaking from Port Sudan. "We saw widespread destruction, limited access to water, healthcare and electricity, and a cholera outbreak. In parts of the city, life is returning -- but many neighbourhoods remain abandoned, like a ghost city. "Several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine," he said. "The international community must act now -- by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest-hit areas and to invest in Sudan's recovery." Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023. The RSF lost control of Khartoum in March. Now that WFP has access to the area and is able to make regular aid deliveries, the agency said it was doing everything it could to bring the local population back from the brink of famine. Bukera said "the level of hunger, destitution and desperation" found in Jabal Awliya was "severe, and basically confirmed the risk of famine". The war has killed tens of thousands of people and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. Bukera said that with people expected to return to heavily damaged areas like Khartoum, the pressure on already over-stretched resources would intensify. "WFP is deeply concerned, and meeting basic needs -- especially food -- is critical and urgent," he said. Famine has been declared in five areas across Sudan, including three displacement camps near El-Fasher in the southwest. It has been all but confirmed in El-Fasher itself, where aid agencies say a lack of access to data has prevented an official famine declaration. Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Sudan emergency: We need more help to prevent famine, says World Food Programme (WFP)
The very real risk of famine continues to stalk Sudan's communities impacted by war, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday, in an appeal for more funding to support immediate needs and boost longer-term recovery across the country. 'Over the past six months, WFP scaled up assistance and we are now reaching nearly one million Sudanese in Khartoum with food and nutrition support,' said Laurent Bukera, WFP Country Director in Sudan. 'This momentum must continue; several areas in the south are at risk of famine.' In an update from Port Sudan, Mr. Bukera reported that a mission to Khartoum had found many neighbourhoods abandoned, heavily damaged and akin to a 'ghost city'. Pressure on overstretched resources will only intensify, he insisted. Fragile frontline communities And as conflict still rages between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, sparked by a breakdown in transition to civilian rule in 2023, the veteran aid worker also explained that communities on the frontlines were at 'breaking point' and unable to support displaced families any longer. Despite many generous contributions to the UN agency's work in Sudan, it faces a $500 million shortfall to support emergency food and cash assistance for the coming six months. 'The international community must act now by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest hit area, and to invest in Sudan's recovery,' Mr. Bukera insisted.' We must also demand respect for the safety and the protection of the Sudanese people and aid workers.' No food, water More than two years of fighting have smashed infrastructure and left communities without basic services, such as clean water. This – and weeks of heavy rains – have contributed to a deadly cholera outbreak and reports of corpses rotting in the Nile in Omdurman, one of the capital's three cities. In an update last week, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that war-related displacement and the spread of cholera have continued to add to needs across Sudan. 'We are deeply concerned and meeting the basic needs, especially food, will be critical and is urgent,' said WFP's Mr. Bukera. 'Urgent action is needed to restore basic services and accelerate recovery through coordinated efforts with local authorities, national NGOs, UN agencies and humanitarian partners.' This vital work has been prevented by a lack of international support, forcing WFP to reduce the amount and range of relief it can distribute. 'Funding shortfalls are already disrupting some of the assistance we are providing in Khartoum, Blue Nile, Al Jazeera and Sennar states,' the WFP senior official continued. 'Our rations and the oil and the pulses in the food basket had to be removed due to lack of resources.' Rations cuts In Khartoum, lifesaving nutritional supplements for young children and pregnant and nursing mothers are already 'out of reach' because of a lack of resources, he said. Despite the many challenges, the UN agency now reaches four million people a month across Sudan. This is nearly four times more than at the start of 2024 as access has expanded, including in previously unreachable areas like Khartoum. Communities are also supported in the longer-term via cash assistance to support local markets and support for bakeries and small businesses planning to reopen. 'We have rapidly scaled up our operation to meet increasing needs,' Mr. Bukera said. 'We are aiming to reach seven people on a monthly basis, prioritizing those facing famine or other areas at extreme risk', such as Darfur, Kordofan and Al Jazeera. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
High risk of famine south of Khartoum: WFP - War in Sudan
Areas south of Khartoum, war-ravaged Sudan's capital, are at high risk of famine, the UN's World Food Programme warned Tuesday, appealing for funds to plug a huge food aid shortfall. Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said the agency had found "severe" levels of hunger in Jabal Awliya, a town around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Khartoum. Bukera was speaking after returning from Khartoum State, where WFP opened a new office in Omdurman, a part of greater Khartoum. "The needs are immense," he told a press briefing in Geneva, speaking from Port Sudan. "We saw widespread destruction, limited access to water, healthcare and electricity, and a cholera outbreak. In parts of the city, life is returning -- but many neighbourhoods remain abandoned, like a ghost city". Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023. Tens of thousands of people have died and 13 million have been displaced, including four million abroad, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "WFP is deeply concerned, and meeting basic needs -- especially food -- is critical and urgent," said Bukera. The RSF lost control of Khartoum in March. "Several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine," Bukera said. The WFP now has access to the area and can make regular aid deliveries and said it was doing everything to bring the local population back from the brink of famine. "The level of hunger, destitution and desperation" at the first distributions in Jabal Awliya last month was "severe, and basically confirmed the risk of famine in those areas," Bukera said. "The international community must act now -- by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest-hit areas and to invest in Sudan's recovery." Funding shortfall Famine has been declared in five areas across Sudan, including three displacement camps near El-Fasher in the southwest. It has been all but confirmed in El-Fasher itself, where aid agencies say a lack of access to data has prevented an official famine declaration. Last Wednesday, five aid workers were killed in besieged El-Fasher in an area controlled by the RSF. Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity. WFP is now reaching four million people per month in Sudan -- a near four-fold increase since the start of 2024. It aims to reach seven million monthly, prioritising areas facing famine or at extreme risk. Bukera said WFP was short of more than $500 million for emergency food and cash assistance over the coming six months -- and short of $700 million overall, across all its operations in Sudan. With displaced people expected to return to heavily-damaged areas like Khartoum, the pressure on already over-stretched resources would intensify. Bukera said food could bring an element of stability in Khartoum and "anchor the peace". "This is the moment to stand with the Sudanese people as they rebuild their lives... after two years of devastating conflict, we see light at the end of the tunnel." Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Famine risk stalks south of Khartoum: WFP
Areas around the south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum are at high risk of famine, the World Food Program warned Tuesday, calling for an immediate international response. Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said the UN agency had found 'severe' levels of hunger in Jabal Awliya, a town around 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Khartoum. Bukera was speaking after returning from Khartoum State, where WFP opened a new office in Omdurman, a part of greater Khartoum. 'The needs are immense,' he told a press briefing in Geneva, speaking from Port Sudan. 'We saw widespread destruction, limited access to water, healthcare and electricity, and a cholera outbreak. In parts of the city, life is returning -- but many neighborhoods remain abandoned, like a ghost city. 'Several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine,' he said. 'The international community must act now -- by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest-hit areas and to invest in Sudan's recovery.' Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023. The RSF lost control of Khartoum in March. Now that WFP has access to the area and is able to make regular aid deliveries, the agency said it was doing everything it could to bring the local population back from the brink of famine. Bukera said 'the level of hunger, destitution and desperation' found in Jabal Awliya was 'severe, and basically confirmed the risk of famine'. The war has killed tens of thousands of people and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. Bukera said that with people expected to return to heavily damaged areas like Khartoum, the pressure on already over-stretched resources would intensify. 'WFP is deeply concerned, and meeting basic needs -- especially food -- is critical and urgent,' he said. Famine has been declared in five areas across Sudan, including three displacement camps near El-Fasher in the southwest. It has been all but confirmed in El-Fasher itself, where aid agencies say a lack of access to data has prevented an official famine declaration. Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Famine risk stalks south of Khartoum
A Sudanese mother holds her malnourished child amidst a parched landscape. A distant aid station offers a glimmer of hope. Areas around the south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum are at high risk of famine, the World Food Programme warned Tuesday, calling for an immediate international response. Laurent Bukera, WFP's Sudan representative and country director, said the UN agency had found "severe" levels of hunger in Jabal Awliya, a town around 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Khartoum. Bukera was speaking after returning from Khartoum State, where WFP opened a new office in Omdurman, a part of greater Khartoum. "The needs are immense," he told a press briefing in Geneva, speaking from Port Sudan. "We saw widespread destruction, limited access to water, healthcare and electricity, and a cholera outbreak. In parts of the city, life is returning -- but many neighbourhoods remain abandoned, like a ghost city. "Several areas in the south of the city are at high risk of famine," he said. "The international community must act now -- by stepping up funding to stop famine in the hardest-hit areas and to invest in Sudan's recovery." Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023. The RSF lost control of Khartoum in March. Now that WFP has access to the area and is able to make regular aid deliveries, the agency said it was doing everything it could to bring the local population back from the brink of famine. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 올 봄 패션 트렌드는? "이 반지로 준비 끝이에요" 굿네이버스 더 알아보기 Undo Bukera said "the level of hunger, destitution and desperation" found in Jabal Awliya was "severe, and basically confirmed the risk of famine". The war has killed tens of thousands of people and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. Bukera said that with people expected to return to heavily damaged areas like Khartoum, the pressure on already over-stretched resources would intensify. "WFP is deeply concerned, and meeting basic needs -- especially food -- is critical and urgent," he said. Famine has been declared in five areas across Sudan, including three displacement camps near El-Fasher in the southwest. It has been all but confirmed in El-Fasher itself, where aid agencies say a lack of access to data has prevented an official famine declaration. Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity.
