The conflict in Sudan has driven the country’s poverty rate to an alarming 70 percent, nearly double the levels prior to the war, according to a senior official from the United Nations Development Programme. Luca Renda, a representative of the UNDP, highlighted the stark contrast, noting that poverty had escalated from approximately 38 percent before the war to the current estimate of 70 percent. This dramatic increase is based on a daily income threshold of around four dollars, with at least a quarter of the population surviving on less than half that amount.
The situation is particularly dire in regions such as South Kordofan and North Darfur, where up to three — quarters of residents are facing extreme deprivation. These areas have been among the most affected by the ongoing fighting, which has continued to devastate the country’s economy and social fabric.
Now in its fourth year, the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of over 11 million people. The spread of hunger and famine conditions has become widespread, with over 21 million people facing severe food insecurity. The UN has warned that incomes have fallen to levels not seen since 1992, with extreme poverty now surpassing that of the 1980s. “.
The numbers represent real human suffering, “Renda emphasized. “Families are being torn apart, and a generation is at risk of losing its future.”The situation remains dire, with violence showing no sign of easing.
Recent drone strikes have killed hundreds of civilians, and analysts are pessimistic about the prospects for an immediate resolution to the hostilities.
Source: Africanews
Original author: Dominic Wabwireh
