Sudan's economic crisis, erratic rainfall forcing 18 mln into acute food insecurity: UN

UNITED NATIONS, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The economic crisis and erratic rainfall are pushing humanitarian needs in Sudan to unprecedented levels, where 18 million people within months face acute food insecurity, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expect the number of people in Sudan facing acute food insecurity to nearly double by September, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Last year 9.8 million people in Sudan faced acute food insecurity, he said. Some 18 million are threatened to be in the category by September.

"Crop and livestock production has dropped by up to half in 14 states across Sudan when compared to the last five-year average," Haq said. "The domestic cereal production can only cover the needs of less than two-thirds of the population, leaving many reliant on humanitarian food assistance."

He cited the Ukraine conflict as causing further spikes in food prices. The price of wheat skyrocketed by 180 percent compared to the same period last year.

"Our partners are appealing for more than 1.9 billion U.S. dollars to help 14.3 million people in Sudan this year," the spokesman told a regular briefing. "To date, the plan is 9 percent funded."

Haq said humanitarian partners of the world body were able to reach more than 8.1 million people with life-saving assistance, including food, livelihood, clean water, and healthcare, despite limited funding.