Ahmed Adam Abdulrahman, Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid in the area of Kreinek, located some 60 km east of the capital of West Darfur El Geneina, disclosed that citizens are resorting to eating locusts and oil residue to survive. Tragically, many, especially children, have succumbed to starvation, with numerous others bedridden in the nutrition department of Kreinik Hospital.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Commissioner Ahmed described the situation in Kreinik as dire, with over six thousand citizens fleeing Kreinik Locality for neighboring Chad due to severe hunger exacerbated by the absence of food aid from relief organizations.

He noted, “Despite this, the security situation is currently stable, markets are functioning, roads are accessible and relatively safe, and all areas of the locality remain stable.”

Ahmed elaborated, “The April 15th conflict severely impacted Kreinik Locality, depriving people of access to food and forcing them to resort to eating locusts and oil residue to survive. The resulting hunger drove thousands of citizens to seek refuge in Chad.”

He also mentioned that while the World Food Programme (WFP) had distributed some food rations, they were insufficient because the demand surpasses the quantities distributed. Additionally, he noted that the population is approximately twenty-one thousand, with fourteen thousand currently in urgent need of both food and non-food assistance.

Furthermore, Ahmed elaborated that as autumn approaches, many families are still living in the open, which will significantly impact them. He appealed to humanitarian organizations to provide non-food aid such as tents, blankets, and mattresses to help people cope with the risks of autumn.

The commissioner highlighted that local residents expressed their desire to farm this season. Notably, they have not been able to plant for two years due to poor security conditions, which have gradually improved, evidenced by the reopening of markets and roads to and from Krenik, and the cessation of random killings and thefts. However, farmers face a challenge due to the lack of available seeds, which he urged organizations to provide.

He reassured that the commission is functioning smoothly in coordinating the efforts of organizations within the locality.

West Darfur in under full control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). By mid-December 2023, the RSF had secured control of four of five Darfur states, including strategic cities, supply routes, and border areas.