New Delhi: The UK has called on Sudanese authorities to cooperate with the UN and other humanitarian organisations to address the dire food security situation in the country, warning that famine is spreading rapidly.
In a statement at the UN Security Council on Monday, James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed alarm at the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which confirms that famine is rapidly spreading in Sudan.
“As we’ve heard, children are acutely malnourished, preventable disease is spreading and basic services collapsing. On current projections, over 630,000 people face famine by May 2025,” he said.“Urgent action is needed now or more lives will be lost.”
Kariuki, however, expressed concern that the Sudanese authorities have halted their participation in the IPC system in response to this report.
“Continuing to deny the food insecurity spreading across Sudan will only exacerbate suffering,” he said. “We call on the authorities to fully cooperate with the humanitarian response.”
He reiterated the UK’s support for bold international action, including by the UN, to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
“In November, the UK doubled its aid commitment to Sudan and the region to almost $140m,” he said. “We call on the international community to step up support to both the UN and Sudanese local responders on the front line.”