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Sudan

GIEWS Update - The Republic of Sudan: Dramatic increase in acute food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict, 23 May 2023

Attachments

Highlights

  • The eruption of armed conflict in the country has severely affected the availability of, and access to, food, against a backdrop of persisting macroeconomic challenges and frequent episodes of intercommunal violence.

  • The food security situation has dramatically worsened since the start of the conflict, with about 19.9 million people estimated to require emergency food and livelihood assistance during the June–September lean season.

The conflict

On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid support forces (RSF) in the capital, Khartoum, in the nearby town of Omdurman and in Merowe City in Northern State. The conflict subsequently spread to cities in other states, including Nyala (South Darfur), Al Fashir (North Darfur), El Obeid (North Kordofan) and Ag Geneina (West Darfur).

With both warring parties heavily armed, the conflict is characterized by high intensity, which has resulted in the loss of civilian lives and in the destruction of private houses and assets as well as critical infrastructures, including hospitals and markets. In West Darfur State, the conflict has triggered intercommunal clashes, further intensifying the violence and its impact on the security and livelihood activities of the local population. The conflict has severely disrupted humanitarian operations, with frequent lootings of facilities and vehicles and targeting of humanitarian workers. A three-day ceasefire from 25 April 2023 facilitated the evacuation of foreign nationals and the flight of thousands of civilians. The extension agreed for another three days was not respected and hostilities resumed on 29 April. Representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed on 20 May an Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements. The ceasefire, which should enter into force 48 hours after the signing, shall remain in effect for seven days and may be extended with the agreement of both parties.