The first batch of humanitarian assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) arrived in Sudan’s South Darfur State on Saturday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj after the humanitarian aid arrival, Yahya Al-Digeil, the State Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, said: “The convoy includes therapeutic food biscuits for children, water treatment supplies and environmental sanitation supplies.”
Al-Digeil explained that the arrival of the humanitarian aid convoy in the state contributes to addressing many issues, especially the widespread malnutrition diseases in various parts of the state and sanitation issues. He thanked UNICEF for its support of the people of the state.
Mohammed Al-Bushra, a Director of the Child Development Organization, said, “The water treatment and environmental sanitation supplies convoy includes 1,000 cartons of dignity kits, 1500 latrine slabs, 170 water chlorination and analysis devices, and 24 water storage tanks, in addition to water purification materials.”
Al-Bushra further elaborated to Radio Tamazuj that their organization distributes aid to needy people in coordination with relevant authorities.
Thousands of children in South Darfur state, especially in displacement camps, suffer from severe malnutrition diseases following the failure of this year’s agricultural season and the suspension of humanitarian organizations’ work due to the conflict.
The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began battling each other in mid-April last year as tensions over plans for a new political transition.
The conflict has driven nearly 8.5 million people from their homes, creating the world’s biggest displacement crisis, pushed parts of the 49-million population close to famine, and triggered waves of ethnically driven killings and sexual violence in the western region of Darfur.