Today's top news: Niger, Sudan

Women stand outside the entrance of an informal house with potted plants.

Displaced women pound millets outside the home of a relative, who provided them refuge in Niamey. The women fled violent attacks in their village in the south of Niger in May 2022. OCHA/Michele Cattani

#Niger

We are concerned about the potential impact of the ongoing crisis on the food security situation.

Already before the coup, over 3 million people were severely food insecure during the ongoing lean season [June-August].

According to preliminary analyses from the World Food Programme, some 7.3 million moderately food-insecure people could see their situation worsen due to the unfolding crisis.

Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions and border closures are required to avert a rapid deterioration of the food security and malnutrition situation.

In addition, humanitarian organizations require immediate confirmation of new resources to enable a timely and at-scale responses.

The Response Plan for Niger seeks US$584 million in funding, but only 39 per cent of that has been received. The food security and malnutrition needs represent more than a third of all humanitarian requirements but are even less funded at 27 per cent funded.

#Sudan

Over the past three months, we have facilitated the movement of more than 1,000 trucks carrying relief supplies to different parts of Sudan, despite the ongoing fighting.

Those trucks have delivered more than 44,000 tons of humanitarian assistance to East Darfur, Khartoum, the Kordofans and several other states.

Yesterday, a humanitarian convoy from Port Sudan arrived in the capital of East Darfur, Ad Du-ayn, carrying nutrition and medical supplies, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene supplies. These items from UNICEF and the World Health Organization will support people displaced by the conflict and the communities hosting them.

Some of the trucks in this convoy were bound for Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. But clashes in that area are hampering the delivery of humanitarian supplies at the moment.

We continue to call for the fighting to stop so that aid can reach those who desperately need it.