Which place has currently the largest population of refugees And number of people facing famines? The answer to these questions are not Ukraine or Gaza, in spite of the fact they are mostly covered by the popular media. The answer is the war-torn country of Sudan.
The conflict started a year ago when to Generals tried to seize power in Khartoum. On one side, there was the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. On the other side there was a paramilitary under the command of general Muhammad Hamdam Dagalo. When the conflict began a year ago, at least the fighters were identifiable through these two groups with a clear purpose of seizing the power. But nowadays there are many different militias and looters sicking their own regional power and goals. Arms and mercenaries are pouring into the Sudan from Chad, Libya, Central African Republic and the red sea. There are reports that fighters from Russia and Ukraine are joining the conflict.
Meanwhile the ordinary people of Sudan are bearing all the costs. Because of the war large parts of Sudan and in particular Darfur had no harvest in 2023. The national cereal production is cut by half and the prices are soured 83% percent. Puting the country with 50 million population at the verge of a famine. On April 15th, pledged over $ 1.2 billion humanitarian aid averted famine by June 2024. According to the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch think tank, the famine would strike the country in the summer. According to the most likely scenario of this think tank the famine would kill up to 500,000 people, children are particularly vulnerable. According to the worst scenario up to one million people could perish in this famine. Alex de Waal an expert in famines in Tuft University has said “Previous famines in Sudan were localized. Now, we are witnessing something we have not seen since the 19th century, a nationwide food emergency!”. There are some peace talks in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, However, because there are many small looters and both major forces are trying to have the upper hand. There is a tiny chance for a ceasefire in the near future.
Source: Economist
Photo credit: Reuters
