Over the next year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will distribute seeds and livestock treatment kits and provide veterinary and fisheries support to boost crop production, improve seed diversification and protect livestock from depletion.
The initiative is expected to meet the grain needs of up to 19 million people for the upcoming 2023 harvest, the FAO estimates.
Struggle for survival
“Millions of people across Sudan are facing a struggle for survival as the food security crisis worsens,” said Hongjie Yang, FAO representative in Sudan.
“This emergency plan aims to provide farming, herding and fishing families with the basic necessities they need to keep production going and feed themselves and their communities.”
The urgency cannot be overstated.
More than 20 million people, representing more than 42 percent of Sudan’s population, experienced high levels of acute food insecurity between July and September, almost double the figure from May last year.
This situation has been greatly exacerbated by the fact that there has been an all-out war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April, which has displaced nearly 5.1 million people within Sudan and across its borders.
At least 35 people were killed and dozens of others injured on Sunday following an attack on a busy market in Sudan’s capital after it was bombed by a military aircraft, according to news reports.
Plan details
Under FAO’s plan, vulnerable households will receive high-quality chickpea, groundnut, millet, okra and sorghum seeds for the 2024 summer season; and chickpeas, cucumber, pigeon pea, tomato and watermelon for the 2023 winter season.
Farmers will also be trained on best practices to improve the handling of post-harvest produce, including important by-products such as manure.
Crucially, amid the heavy fighting, the FAO plan prioritizes mass vaccination campaigns to protect six million sheep, goats and cattle from devastating diseases, including plague of small ruminants (sheep bovine plague), sheep and goat pox and foot and mouth disease.
To keep local economies running and ensure stable access to quality food, the UN agency will also support 50,000 people, including 10,000 fishing households, with equipment such as boats and equipment.
Multiple approach
The emergency response plan will deploy a combination of unconditional financial and livelihood assistance, including seeds and tools, along with training, to reach the most vulnerable households.
This approach aims to address the challenges faced by farmers practicing rainfed agriculture during the dry season (November to May), and the struggles of pastoral communities who face water scarcity, lack of pasture, weakened animal health and reduced availability of food.
To fully implement the ambitious plan over the next 12 months and reach targeted farmers, herders and fishermen in Sudan’s most food insecure areas, FAO needs $123 million.