Hunger crisis in Sudan as Ukraine conflict spikes food prices

Sudan is among African countries most likely to suffer from the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The northeastern African country that is already facing a food crisis depends on wheat imports from the Black Sea region.

"Interruption to the flow of grain into Sudan will increase prices and make it more difficult to import wheat," the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme said in a statement on Wednesday.

The UN agencies said local prices of wheat are over $550 per metric ton, an 180 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

"The ripple effects created by the bullets and bombs landing in Ukraine will be felt far and wide, including here in Sudan, as families are set to suffer even further with basic meals becoming a luxury for millions," Eddie Rowe, the WFP representative and country director in Sudan said.

"But at the same time, WFP finds itself in the awful position of not having enough resources to meet the ever growing needs."

WFP said a $270 million shortfall has already forced it to prioritize the most vulnerable of people and further cuts may be necessary if the UN agency does not receive new funds immediately.

Both the WFP and FAO warned that the impact of the Ukraine conflict coupled with the combined effects of internal conflict, economic crisis, and poor harvests are likely to double the number of people facing acute hunger in Sudan to more than 18 million by September.

"There are already worrying signs that access, affordability, and the availability of food is shrinking for most people in Sudan, which is pushing more people deeper into poverty and hunger," Rowe said.

The UN agencies said many families are struggling to put food on the table due to the rising food and transportation costs in addition to depreciation of the Sudanese Pound.

They warned that the Sudanese Pound is likely to depreciate further due to lack of access to hard currencies.

In their Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission report, the UN agencies project that the domestic cereal production from the 2021-22 agricultural season is expected to yield 5.1 million tons.

The production is expected to cover the needs of less than two thirds of the population, leaving many reliant on humanitarian food assistance and dependent on imported essential grains at prices beyond the reach of most people.

"Rising food prices and scarcity of essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds means that farmers have no other option than to abandon food production if they do not receive immediate support," said Babagana Ahmadu, a FAO representative in Sudan.

"This will likely have grave consequences not only for their food security but also on food availability in Sudan," Ahmadu added. "It may ultimately lead to more conflict and displacement."

Sudan has experienced a surge in the number of displaced people due to the ongoing conflict in parts of Darfur and the Kordofan region.

The insecurity has eroded livelihoods, damaged farms, and triggered widespread unemployment, according to FAO and WFP.

FAO is appealing for $51.4 million to support 2 million vulnerable farming and pastoral households to produce their own food, keep their livestock alive and productive, and strengthen their resilience.