Ten months after war erupted across Sudan, experts suggest that Sudan now has the worst hunger levels ever recorded. As Sudan heads into its annual ‘lean season’ it is estimated that seven million people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. Mass starvation and high numbers of deaths are predicted by June, when child malnutrition is highest and disease is likely to compound the high levels of hunger.
The severity of the crisis demands a major scale-up on all fronts. Well-informed, concerted and rapid diplomatic, financial and aid efforts are needed to minimise extensive loss of life. Support must be tailored to the coping strategies of Sudan’s urban, displaced and rural populations, with particular attention to Sudanese responders who are providing the bulk of humanitarian efforts. The window to reduce the impact of what is rapidly becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis in decades is closing. Business as usual is not an option.
Join the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI, the Clingendael Institute, Tufts University and the Conflict Sensitivity Facility to discuss the scale of the crisis and the urgent next steps required.
Speakers:
- Sorcha O Callaghan, Director, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI
- Anette Hoffmann, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael
- Youssif El Tayeb, Executive Director of the Darfur Development and Reconstruction Agency
- Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation, Tufts University
- Hassan Alattar Satti, Conflict and Livelihoods Researcher and Visiting Fellow at the Feinstein International Center, Tufts University
