The Sudanese government has suspended its participation in the global hunger monitoring system ahead of a report expected to reveal that famine has spread across the country, a step likely to undermine efforts to address one of the world\u2019s largest hunger crises.<\/p>\n
In a letter dated December 23rd, the Sudanese government\u2019s Agriculture Minister stated that the government is halting its participation in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system. The letter accused the (IPC) of \u201cIssuing unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the (IPC) is expected to publish a report finding that famine has spread to (five) areas in Sudan and could expand to (10) areas by May, according to a briefing document seen by Reuters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis marks an unprecedented deepening and widening of the food and nutrition crisis, driven by the devastating conflict and poor humanitarian access,\u201d the document stated.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Rome-based (IPC) declined to comment.<\/p>\n
The head of a non-governmental organization operating in Sudan, spoke on the condition of anonymity, sharing that Sudan\u2019s withdrawal from the (IPC) system could -very well- undermine humanitarian efforts to help millions of Sudanese suffering from extreme hunger.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithdrawal from the (IPC) system won\u2019t change the reality of hunger on the ground,\u201d the NGO head added. \u201cHowever, it does deprive the international community of its compass to navigate Sudan\u2019s hunger crisis. Without independent analysis, we\u2019re flying blind into this storm of food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n
A diplomat with Sudan’s mission to the United Nations in New York didn\u2019t immediately respond to a request for comment on this particular development.<\/p>\n
Food Security Phase Classification<\/p>\n
The (IPC) is an independent body funded by Western nations and overseen by (19) large humanitarian organizations and intergovernmental institutions.<\/p>\n
A linchpin in the world\u2019s vast system for monitoring and alleviating hunger, it is designed to sound the alarm in regards to developing food crises so organizations would be able to readily respond and prevent famine and mass starvation.<\/p>\n
The World Food Programme (WFP) stated in a report published on Friday that it will need ($16.9) billion to fund its operations in (2025), in order to provide assistance to (123) million people worldwide.<\/p>\n
IPC analysts typically partner with national governments to analyze data related to food insecurity and to report on conditions within a country\u2019s borders. The government has headed the IPC\u2019s analysis group in Sudan.<\/p>\n
However, the system has increasingly struggled to function since war erupted in April (2023). The fighting, in which the Army-backed government was involved, has disrupted data collection in areas under its control.<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s letter was addressed to the (IPC) and its Famine Review Committee, which vets and verifies a famine finding, as well as to diplomats.<\/p>\n
The letter states that the forthcoming (IPC )report lacks updated malnutrition data and assessments of crop productivity during the recent summer rainy season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe growing season was successful,\u201d the letter adds. Noting, \u201cSerious concerns\u201d in regards to the IPC\u2019s ability to collect data from territories controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.<\/p>\n
Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University\u2019s Fletcher School, called Sudan\u2019s move to stop cooperating with the (IPC) as \u201cBoth pathetic and tragic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s part of a long history of the government of Sudan denying famine going back more than (40) years,\u201d added de Waal, a leading specialist on famine. \u201cWhenever there\u2019s a famine in Sudan, they consider it an affront to their Sovereignty, and they\u2019re more concerned about their pride and their control than they are over the lives of their citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Sudanese government has suspended its participation in the global hunger monitoring system ahead of a report expected to reveal that famine has spread across the country, a step likely to undermine efforts to address one of the world\u2019s largest hunger crises. In a letter dated December 23rd, the Sudanese government\u2019s Agriculture Minister stated that …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":160431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n