UN Warns of Looming Starvation Crisis in Darfur, Sudan

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday of a severe risk of widespread hunger and death in Sudan’s Darfur region if humanitarian aid is not urgently allowed, the Associated Press reported.

WFP spokesperson Leni Kinzli said at least 1.7 million people in Darfur were experiencing emergency hunger levels in December, a number expected to be much higher now.

“WFP urgently requires unrestricted access and security guarantees to deliver assistance,” Kinzli said, noting 28 million people face food insecurity across Sudan, South Sudan and Chad due to the conflict.

Kinzli called for “a concerted diplomatic effort” to push warring parties to grant aid access, stating, “We risk witnessing widespread starvation and death in Darfur.”