In a press release (8/5/2003) from the United Nations News Service the World Food Program expressed concern that recent flooding in northern Sudan would stretch its resources to point of having to slash rations because of a severe shortfall in funding. The organization was previously feeding 3.2 million people because of drought and war in the region.
Over 320,000 people have been cut off by flooding in the Kassala region of northern Sudan. Currently, no aid has been able to get through because the roads are impassable. This latest crisis puts WFP’s resources for Sudan further in the red, a spokesperson for the organization stated. WFP is already supplying food to 3.2 million people affected by war and drought in both the north and south, but it has received only $40 million in response to its April appeal for $130 million. The region is also embroiled in 18 year long civil war, according to the USAID website: The 18-year civil war in Sudan persists on numerous fronts in both southern and northern areas of the country, while civilians throughout the South and the transitional zone (i.e., southern Kordofan and southern Blue Nile) continue to be adversely affected by GOS aerial bombings and forced displacements due to the fighting. Northern opposition groups with the SPLA are also fighting the GOS in eastern Sudan. Since 1999, oil drilling and exploration in western Upper Nile, and the pipeline taking this crude oil to the Red Sea for export, has increased displacement further. According to FY 2003 USAID Country Allocation Summary Request, USAID has requested only $22.3 million dollars for this year and all of this amount was for development assistance and not for food. According to a situation report released on 2/19/2003: USAID's Africa Bureau manages the development portion of the Sudan Integrated Strategic Plan in opposition-held areas of the country. USAID development funding in FY 2002 totaled more than $14.2 million, including nearly $11.3 million in development assistance, $2.5 million in Economic Support Funds, and $500,000 in Child Survival and Health Funds. At this time, USDA, State/PRM, and USAID's Africa Bureau have yet to obligate FY 2003 funds specifically earmarked for Sudan. State/PRM has committed more than $30 million to UNHCR for Africa-wide refugee assistance.
Data: 05.08.2003, 14:14 Hora Printer Friendly  Email to a Friend 
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