How Sudan's civil war has created a massive hunger crisis

PBS NewsHour

6 Mar 202409:08

Summary

TLDRThe UN Security Council addresses the escalating conflict in Sudan, which has led to 14,000 deaths and the displacement of 8 million people. The World Food Program warns of a potential hunger crisis, as the power struggle between Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has left 25 million hungry and without work. The situation is dire, with children dying of malnutrition, and the international community is urged to provide immediate funding and support to avert a full-blown famine.

Takeaways

😢 The brutal conflict in Sudan has resulted in 14,000 deaths and displaced 8 million people, creating a dire humanitarian crisis.
🌎 Sudan is the third largest country in Africa, and the conflict there has the potential to become the world's largest hunger crisis.
🚸 The World Food Program warns of a looming famine in Sudan, with 25 million people facing hunger and without work.
🔥 The conflict is characterized by a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both accused of severe crimes.
🏠 Civilians are experiencing war crimes, including the destruction of residential areas, and are forced to flee their homes.
👶 Children are particularly vulnerable, with many suffering from malnutrition and being at risk of starvation.
🚨 The humanitarian response is hampered by the looting of humanitarian warehouses and the prohibition of cross-border assistance by the SAF.
💰 The World Food Program is critically underfunded, with a $300 million shortfall, which severely limits their ability to provide aid.
🌟 Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Bank, emphasizes the need for immediate international attention and funding to prevent famine.
⚠️ The ongoing conflict poses a regional security risk, with the potential for increased migration and exploitation of vulnerable populations.

Q & A

What is the current situation in Sudan as discussed in the Security Council?
-The Security Council discussed the 11-month old brutal conflict in Sudan, which has killed 14,000 people and displaced 8 million, potentially leading to the world's largest hunger crisis.
What is the role of the World Food Program in addressing the crisis in Sudan?
-The World Food Program is actively involved in providing food and support to the affected population, but they are facing challenges due to insufficient funding and the ongoing conflict.
What are the immediate needs of the Sudanese refugees as described in the script?
-The immediate needs of the Sudanese refugees include food, as many are precariously close to starvation, and safety from the ongoing conflict.
How has the civil war impacted the daily lives of Sudanese citizens?
-The civil war has turned residential blocks into battlegrounds, leading to widespread displacement, lack of food, and exposure to violence, including rape and killings.
What are the accusations against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)?
-The SAF has been accused by the U.S. of war crimes and bombing residential villages, while the RSF has been accused of crimes against humanity, including killing young men believed to be supporters of Sudan's army.
What challenges do humanitarian organizations face in delivering aid to Sudan?
-Humanitarian organizations face challenges such as lack of funding, limited access due to the conflict, and the destruction or looting of humanitarian assistance by both sides of the conflict.
What is the current state of food production and hunger in Sudan?
-Food production has been severely impacted, leading to a large portion of the population being hungry. The World Food Program warns that famine is looming for 2024 in Sudan.
Why is the crisis in Sudan considered a potential national security issue by the U.S.?
-The crisis in Sudan is considered a potential national security issue because the lack of food and inability to farm could lead to migration, where extremist groups might exploit the situation by providing food in exchange for support or recruitment.
What specific actions is the World Food Program taking to address malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers?
-The World Food Program is focusing on providing food and care for the seriously malnourished, infants, and pregnant mothers, but they require more funding and global attention to address these issues long-term.
How much funding is the World Food Program short of to meet its goals in Sudan?
-The World Food Program is $300 million short this year to adequately address the crisis, including providing food and caring for long-term feeding problems such as malnutrition.
What is the potential regional risk if the conflict in Sudan continues?
-The potential regional risk includes increased migration, exploitation by extremist groups, and the spread of violence and instability to neighboring areas.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Sudan's Brutal Conflict and Hunger Crisis

The Security Council discusses the devastating 11-month conflict in Sudan, Africa's third-largest country, which has resulted in 14,000 deaths and the displacement of 8 million people. The World Food Program warns that the initial power struggle could escalate into the world's largest hunger crisis. Nick Schifrin interviews a Sudanese civil rights activist and a doctor from the humanitarian group CARE, highlighting the war's impact on civilians, including widespread gender-based violence and the destruction of infrastructure. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to a dire humanitarian situation, with 25 million people facing hunger and an economic crisis. The World Food Program's Executive Director, Cindy McCain, emphasizes the urgent need for international assistance to prevent famine in 2024.

05:01

🌍 Addressing Sudan's Looming Famine

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program, discusses the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly in refugee camps that risk becoming the epicenter of the world's largest hunger crisis. She details the immense challenges faced by the international community in providing aid, including the lack of funding and the obstruction of humanitarian assistance by warring parties. McCain calls for $300 million to address immediate and long-term feeding problems, especially among children and pregnant mothers. She warns of the regional security risks if the conflict continues, such as increased migration and the potential for extremist groups to exploit the food crisis.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Security Council

The Security Council is a principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security. In the context of the video, it is discussing the brutal conflict in Sudan, highlighting its significance as an international issue requiring global attention and potential intervention.

💡Sudan

Sudan is the third largest country in Africa, and the video script discusses the ongoing conflict that has led to significant loss of life and displacement. Sudan is central to the video's theme as the location where these humanitarian crises are unfolding.

💡Conflict

The term 'conflict' in the video refers to the brutal civil war happening in Sudan, characterized by power struggles, war crimes, and violence against civilians. The conflict is the main driver of the humanitarian crisis discussed throughout the video.

💡Displaced

Displaced people are those who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict or persecution. The video mentions that 8 million people have been displaced, indicating the scale of the crisis and the need for humanitarian assistance.

💡World Food Program

The World Food Program (WFP) is the food assistance branch of the United Nations, working to address hunger and promote food security. In the video, the WFP is actively involved in trying to prevent a hunger crisis in Sudan, emphasizing the severity of the food shortage.

💡Hunger Crisis

A hunger crisis refers to a situation where a large number of people do not have access to sufficient food. The video suggests that Sudan could face the world's largest hunger crisis, underscoring the urgency and scale of the food insecurity.

💡War Crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war. The video mentions that both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have been accused of such crimes, highlighting the severity of the conflict and the atrocities committed.

💡Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed against individuals based on their gender. The video script includes accounts of rape and other forms of violence against women, illustrating the horrific impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations.

💡Malnutrition

Malnutrition refers to poor health caused by a lack of nutrients. The video discusses the high rates of malnutrition among children, which is a direct consequence of the food crisis and a critical issue that humanitarian organizations are trying to address.

💡Humanitarian Assistance

Humanitarian assistance is aid intended to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and after man-made or natural disasters. The video emphasizes the challenges of providing such assistance in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict and the need for international support.

💡Famine

Famine is an extreme scarcity of food leading to widespread starvation and death. The video warns of an impending famine in Sudan, which would represent a catastrophic failure of food systems and a dire humanitarian situation.

Highlights

The Security Council discussed the brutal conflict in Sudan, which has killed 14,000 people and displaced 8 million so far.

The World Food Program warns that the power struggle in Sudan could lead to the world's largest hunger crisis.

Every day, hundreds of Sudanese refugees cross into South Sudan, many children are on the brink of starvation.

Civil war in Sudan has turned residential blocks into battlegrounds, with both sides committing atrocities.

A Sudanese civil rights activist describes the war's brutality leading to militia warfare and gender-based violence.

When the RSF captured Sudan's second-largest city, they burned down the city and infrastructure, including the National Bank.

A doctor from the International Humanitarian Group CARE shares his fear and the need to find a new home for his family due to the war.

The war has caused a significant economic crisis in Sudan, with 25 million people hungry and without work.

Crops are doing extremely bad, and specialists warn of an impending famine in Sudan for 2024.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Bank, discusses the potential for Sudan to become the world's largest hunger crisis.

The World Food Program has had to cut rations due to a lack of funding from the international community.

Cindy McCain shares stories of the terrible situations faced by Sudanese refugees, including a grandmother who lost her entire family.

One in five children at the transit center visited by McCain are malnourished, and resources are insufficient for long-term care.

The State Department has called out both sides of the conflict for the destruction of humanitarian assistance.

McCain emphasizes the need for access, funding, and the urgency of the situation in Sudan.

The World Food Program is $300 million short this year, impacting their ability to address hunger and malnutrition.

McCain outlines the regional risk if the conflict continues, including the potential for increased migration and exploitation.