Minni Arko Minawi, the Governor of the Darfur region, has announced a significant agreement with United Nations organizations and agencies aimed at providing humanitarian aid to the city of El Fasher in North Darfur. This aid will be delivered via the road connecting El Dabba in northern Sudan.
Speaking to reporters in Port Sudan on Wednesday, Governor Minawi emphasized that the meeting with these organizations, attended by appointed governors from Central, South, and West Darfur, focused on streamlining the distribution of aid to the citizens of Darfur.
He stated, “The meeting was held with the Darfur Regional Government to discuss facilitating the delivery of aid through organizations to the citizens. We have agreed in advance that supplies will flow from Port Sudan through El Dabba to El Fasher, and then distributed to the rest of Darfur states. Some trucks have already been prepared to head to Darfur.”
Minawi highlighted the selection of the route through El Dabba as a means to shorten the distance to El Fasher, clarifying that this decision does not signify the abandonment of the El Obeid-El Fasher road but rather its potential use in the future. In terms of alternative routes, he noted, “Humanitarian materials coming from neighboring countries, especially from Chad through the border area in Tine, will be distributed to the various Darfur states.”
During the meeting, Minawi emphasized the looming threat of famine in Darfur, particularly as the summer season approaches. He stated, “We must collaborate with the government and international organizations to address the risk and provide assistance to the Sudanese.”
UN reports have sounded alarms about a potential famine in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces. However, Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Abubakr Al-Bashir, dismissed concerns of famine, insisting that Sudan’s food security won’t be compromised by the conflict.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the widespread hunger in Sudan, noting that the majority of Sudanese struggle to access sufficient food, with only around 5% of the population able to afford a full meal daily.
Michael Danford, the WFP Regional Director for East Africa, recently expressed challenges in obtaining accurate data to assess whether hunger rates in Sudan have reached the threshold for declaring a famine.
Previous reports have documented severe food shortages forcing many displaced people in Darfur to resort to consuming tree leaves, locusts, and other unconventional sources to stave off hunger.
Since April 2023, Sudan has witnessed ongoing fighting between the Army and the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in a staggering toll of at least 13,900 casualties and over 8 million displaced persons, according to United Nations reports on Sudan.