The ‘Grain from Ukraine’ humanitarian initiative, launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, recently delivered a significant in-kind donation to Sudan in an effort to address the escalating food insecurity crisis in the country. The donation, consisting of 7,600 tonnes of wheat flour, arrived in Port Sudan and was promptly loaded onto trucks for distribution by the World Food Programme (WFP). The situation in Sudan has been described as catastrophic, with families struggling to access food as the conflict between rival military forces continues to escalate into its 10th month.
The WFP is working tirelessly to ensure that critical food assistance reaches families in need as quickly as possible. Eddie Rowe, WFP’s Country Director in Sudan, emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent the situation from further deteriorating. The donated wheat flour will be distributed to families who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict and are facing significant challenges in meeting their daily food needs. With the lean season approaching in May, when food scarcity typically increases, the arrival of this donation is especially timely.
The donation was made possible by the German Federal Foreign Office, which covered the entire €15 million operating costs associated with transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Sudan and facilitating its distribution within the country. This support comes at a critical time as fighting continues to spread, exacerbating the already dire food insecurity situation in Sudan. Mr. Rowe expressed gratitude to both Ukraine and Germany for their support in addressing the urgent needs of the Sudanese people during this challenging time.
Germany has been a steadfast supporter of WFP’s humanitarian efforts in Sudan, with the German Government providing nearly €30 million in funding for WFP operations in the country last year. This support has been crucial in ensuring that vital food assistance reaches those affected by the conflict in Sudan. Despite the ongoing efforts of organizations like WFP, the situation in Sudan remains precarious, with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity and approximately five million people experiencing emergency levels of hunger.
WFP has been actively providing emergency food and nutrition support to around seven million people in Sudan since the conflict began last April, but the needs continue to grow. The looming lean season poses additional challenges, making it imperative for organizations like WFP to ramp up their efforts to address the escalating food insecurity crisis in the country. The generous donation of wheat flour from Ukraine, supported by Germany, represents a significant step towards alleviating the suffering of families in Sudan who are struggling to access basic necessities like food during this tumultuous time.
