United Nations aid agencies on Friday hailed the Sudanese authorities’ decision to open the Adre border crossing from Chad into Sudan, a move seen as critical in addressing the severe food insecurity plaguing the war-torn nation. As Sudan faces the threat of famine and acute hunger in multiple regions, the opening of this vital humanitarian corridor is expected to significantly boost relief efforts.
The corridor will enable the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to scale up its assistance to 14 areas teetering on the brink of famine, including regions in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Al Jazirah.
Convoys Ready for Deployment
“As we speak, two convoys with nearly 6,000 metric tons of food and nutrition supplies for around half a million people are being loaded, destined for risk-of-famine areas in north, central, and west Darfur states as soon as official Government communication and clearances are received,” stated Leni Kinzli, spokesperson for WFP Sudan.
This development comes just two weeks after famine was confirmed at the Zamzam displacement camp near El Fasher, the conflict-ridden capital of North Darfur, which currently shelters over 400,000 displaced individuals.
By the end of 2024, WFP aims to support up to 8.4 million people across Sudan, where the ongoing conflict has devastated food production, destroyed essential markets, and cut off communities from humanitarian assistance.
Alongside heavy fighting, the continuing rainy season has exacerbated the situation, with flooded roads halting aid convoys. “More than 50 trucks carrying an estimated 4,800 metric tons of food and nutrition assistance, enough for around half a million people, are stuck in various locations across Sudan and unable to move toward their final destinations due to flooded and impassable roads,” Kinzli added. She emphasized the urgent need for the Adre border crossing to be fully operational to allow relief supplies to reach those in dire need.
The Lasting Impact of Hunger
Echoing the urgency, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the dire consequences of poor nutrition and acute food insecurity among vulnerable populations. WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris warned that malnourished individuals, particularly children, are at a heightened risk of severe illness from even mild infections due to their weakened immune systems.
“Children in particular can die very quickly from what might be a minor infection,” Dr. Harris noted, underscoring the deteriorating state of Sudan’s healthcare system after 16 months of heavy fighting. She pointed out that up to 80 percent of hospitals in Sudan are now “non-functional,” leaving millions without access to essential medical care.
Dr. Harris also reported growing concerns over outbreaks of cholera, measles, malaria, dengue, and meningitis in several states, further complicating the humanitarian crisis.
A Preventable Tragedy
The opening of the Adre corridor comes amid continued violence, including a recent bombing in El Obeid that devastated a school and market, killing five girls and injuring 20 other children. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that Sudan is at a “breaking point,” predicting tens of thousands of preventable deaths from hunger, disease, floods, and violence in the coming months without a larger global response.
According to IOM, more than 10.7 million people are currently seeking safety within Sudan, with many displaced multiple times. Alarmingly, nearly 97 percent of internally displaced persons are located in areas experiencing acute levels of food insecurity or worse.
The UN and its partners continue to call for increased international support to avert further catastrophe as they work to deliver life-saving assistance to those most in need across Sudan.
