Up to 3,5 million people, or more than half the entire population of Sudans troubled Darfur region, would need food aid at the height of the annual “hunger season” from August through the month of October, the UN food aid agency said Friday.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that continued fighting, a lack of markets, overgrazing and a poor harvest last year were among the factors impinging on the food supply in the region, which has been beset by conflict between the Khartoum Government, allied militia and rebels.
– In May, WFP fed a record 1,8 million people in Darfur, most of them stranded in camps after being forced from their homes and farms, said Ramiro Lopez da Silva, WFP Sudan Country Director adding:
– But large numbers of others can no longer provide for themselves because of insecurity, drought, the poor harvest last year and with local markets closed. They do not live in camps, but are all caught in the same Darfur trap, and urgently need our help to survive.
To be able to feed 3,25 million out of those in need, WFP is appealing for an additional 94 million US dollar for an extra 84.000 metric tons of food on top of the 485.000 tons that it originally requested for the year 2005.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is planning to feed the other quarter of a million persons whom it is thought will go hungry in Darfur in the coming months.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
