A World Food Programme (WFP) convoy arrived at the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, Sudan, on November 22, marking the first delivery since famine was declared three months ago. This initiative is part of a significant expansion of WFP operations in Sudan, aimed at reaching millions in conflict-affected regions.
Over 700 trucks are en route to various communities, with a focus on 14 critical areas experiencing severe food insecurity. The convoy is transporting approximately 17,500 tonnes of food assistance, sufficient to feed 1.5 million individuals for one month.
Laurent Bukera, WFP Regional Director for Eastern Africa, emphasized the importance of these deliveries, stating, "These trucks carry more than just food; they carry a lifeline for people caught in the crossfire of conflict and hunger." He called for guaranteed safe passage for aid trucks and ongoing international support.
Since September, WFP has provided food assistance to about two million people monthly in Sudan, a number expected to rise with the current surge. The country is facing one of the worst hunger crises globally, exacerbated by ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
Currently, Sudan hosts half of the world's population experiencing catastrophic hunger, with 4.7 million children and vulnerable women suffering from acute malnutrition. The recent convoy is the first to reach Zamzam since famine was confirmed in August, following months of disrupted aid due to fighting and impassable roads.
WFP has supported seven million people in Sudan in 2024, with plans to assist over eight million by year-end. The extension of the Adre border crossing with Chad by three months is a welcomed development, as it is crucial for humanitarian shipments. WFP continues to advocate for the opening of all border crossings to ensure life-saving aid reaches those in need.