UK and 31 international partners call for action to prevent famine in Sudan

London, October 23 (KUNA) -- The United Kingdom and 31 international partners signed a joint statement on Friday calling for measures to prevent famine in Sudan. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated in the statement that "Sudan is witnessing a disturbing deterioration in food security, and the risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, requires urgent action." The ministry clarified that "approximately 19.5 million people, or 41 percent of the country's population, are suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity." It added that "unless immediate action is taken to change the current trajectory, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition will exceed the current estimate of 825,000, and the number of areas experiencing food insecurity, initially estimated at 14, is expected to double." The statement noted that "conflict is the primary driver of the hunger crisis in Sudan, having caused the displacement of millions, destroyed critical infrastructure, and disrupted the delivery of healthcare, food production, supply chains, and markets." It warned of worsening conditions in Sudan, pointing out that "the situation is deteriorating due to the systematic obstruction of aid and the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which have led to reduced rainfall and increased drought across more than half of Sudan's territory." The statement affirmed that "the parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people; therefore, we urge these parties to remove all obstacles hindering humanitarian aid and to allow aid to reach its destination fully, safely, rapidly, and without impediment, while ensuring the protection of humanitarian workers." The signatories called for allowing humanitarian operations to be conducted through all routes, including across contact lines and borders, including "providing air access to Darfur, which would enable the rapid deployment of relief operations and timely medical evacuations of humanitarian personnel." They also demanded "ensuring the presence and protection of humanitarian workers throughout Sudan" and urged all parties to refrain from "launching attacks on civilian infrastructure, including agricultural and food systems, which are vital for providing essential services to the civilian population." They further emphasized the need to "enhance coordination between civilian and military sides to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and humanitarian sites." Regarding international community efforts, the statement called for urgent increases in funding "in response to growing needs and to support efforts to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable groups." It added, "We also urge development and financial institutions to adapt their existing programs to align with the food security situation, focusing on the most needy areas. We must all act without delay to prevent famine by supporting the winter planting season and strengthening locally led responses. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Sudanese people and humanitarian organizations working tirelessly and under extremely difficult conditions to deliver life-saving assistance." The list of partner signatories to the joint statement includes the European Union and 30 other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. (End)