-
WFP Chief Warns of Imminent Famine in Sudan, Calls for Opening of Humanitarian Corridors

WFP Chief Warns of Imminent Famine in Sudan, Calls for Opening of Humanitarian Corridors
Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, warned on Monday of an impending "catastrophic famine" in Sudan and called for all crossings to be opened for the entry of humanitarian aid.
This warning comes amid the ongoing bloody conflict that the country has been experiencing for more than a year and a half.
The clashes have been ongoing since April 2023 between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the "Rapid Support Forces," led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, including targeting civilians, obstructing aid access, and employing starvation tactics against millions.
McCain told Agence France-Presse, "We want full access to Sudan through as many entry points as possible, urgently." She confirmed that famine has already begun in the Zamzam camp, which requires a large-scale response.
Estimates from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees indicate that around 11.3 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, with approximately 3 million fleeing to other countries, while 26 million people are suffering from severe food insecurity. A famine has been declared in the "Zamzam" camp in Darfur.
McCain added, "We need to get food and trucks in; therefore, it is important to keep the crossings open, including those from the South Sudan border to the north."
Last week, ten countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany, called on the warring parties in Sudan to ensure humanitarian relief reaches the millions in urgent need of assistance.
These countries emphasized in a joint statement that "the systematic obstruction from both sides" is the cause of this famine.
McCain, who met with Burhan, expressed hope that the World Food Programme would be able to provide food widely in Sudan.
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!