Since the outbreak of fighting in mid-April 2023, the number of Sudanese falling into food destitution has been increasing after more than 60 percent of Sudanese lost their sources of income, and purchasing power declined by more than 70 percent in light of the erosion of the pound, the significant rise in the prices of food commodities, and the difficulty of Obtained in many areas due to security conditions.
A friend says to Sky News Arabia, “We are no longer able to feed our families (…) Inflation is swallowing everything and the intermittent monthly wage is no longer enough to cover the expenses of one meal a day (…) We have become dependent on charity kitchens, but many of them are closing their doors.” Due to lack of financing and high prices of basic commodities.”
He added, “The war has changed the face of Sudanese society… It has become common to see senior officials or residents of ancient neighborhoods in queues for charitable meals.”
Social repercussions
According to social researcher Asmaa Jumaa, the current food crisis has had serious social repercussions as it affected the mental, physical and psychological capabilities of the population, and afflicted society with a state of panic, helplessness, fear, anticipation and despair, especially in light of the absence of any sign of an imminent end to the war that was a direct cause of the increase in hunger rates. .
She explained, “Because of the food crisis and fear of what is coming, a state of panic has spread, which has led to the spread of many phenomena such as domestic violence, theft, fraud, and people exploiting each other, and this is evident in the high prices.”
Asmaa Jumaa tells Sky News Arabia, “The extent of hunger has expanded significantly in the recent period. Due to the rise in prices, the population’s savings have been eroded, the number of people unable to buy food commodities has increased, and even the opportunities for support and assistance from family and relatives have diminished.”
She added, “The war disrupted the production sectors, especially agriculture, on which most people mainly depend.” Sudanese society“This increased unemployment rates.”
Jumaa points out the major health impacts of the crisis, saying, “The hunger crisis has increased the suffering of patients, especially those with diseases directly related to nutrition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and others. The high rates of hunger will lead to the spread of acute malnutrition and its serious effects, especially on children.”
Economic factors
According to economic expert Wael Fahmy, there are a number of important factors that led to the exacerbation of the food crisis and the expansion of hunger, including the horrific economic deterioration resulting from the war, the loss of a large proportion of Sudanese from their sources of income, and the significant decline of the Sudanese pound, as one dollar is currently traded at about 2,700. pounds compared to less than 600 pounds before the outbreak of war, in addition to the security conditions that led to the drying up of many markets in the combat zones.
Fahmi says to Sky News Arabia, “Given the previous reasons, it is natural that there will be an increase in those seeking food aid, whether in areas of continuous, intermittent, or even safe clashes, including families who depend on remittances from their relatives abroad, or who receive wages.” “Monthly, it lost most of its purchasing power due to the deterioration of the value of the pound, as the highest wages became barely enough to cover the expenses of one meal a day for an average family.”
Fahmy warns of the increasingly widening circle of hunger, with the decline of the “food security” item on the government spending agenda in favor of covering high war expenditures, in light of revenues shrinking by more than 80 percent and more than 70 percent of factories and productive institutions stopping.
International efforts falter
Nicholas Kristof, a specialist in African crises, attributes the increasing famine to the failure of the international community to exert sufficient pressure on both sides of the war, and to not provide sufficient resources to address the crisis.
He explains in an article published in the New York Times, “The international community has turned more attention to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and although this is understandable, the result is that children are dying needlessly in Sudan“.
Kristof warns of the need for humanitarian violations and famine in Sudan to find a place at the top of the international agenda, and for both sides to the fighting to be dealt with firmly. “If the warring parties do not listen, all diplomatic and military tools must be used to force them to allow humanitarian access,” he added.
