Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity outcomes likely in SPLM-N areas
KEY MESSAGES
As of April 2013, about 3.5 to 3.7 million people in Sudan face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity. Current food insecurity is mainly caused by insecurity in Darfur, Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Abyei.
Food security conditions are likely to deteriorate during the lean season and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) food security outcomes are likely in the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) controlled areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan from June to September. This is due to reduced access to food and income, restricted access to humanitarian assistance, restricted trade flow to SPLM-N controlled areas, diminishing asset holding, and increased susceptibility to waterborne diseases.
Improved relations between Sudan and South Sudan via the recent agreements have been beneficial to food security in both countries to date. Nomadic cattle herders have started crossing the border for grazing in South Sudan, alleviating high cattle mortality due to pasture and water deficits. Informal trade flow from Sudan to South Sudan has also increased, as well as oil exports to Sudan. Oil revenues are likely to reduce foreign currency deficits facing both countries and curb inflation and local currency devaluation.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Blue Nile state in September 2011, an inter-agency mission conducted a rapid food security assessment in GoS controlled areas in the six localities of Blue Nile state. The findings confirmed FEWS NET’s analysis regarding the number and status of food insecurity in these areas. WFP distributed two-month food rations to about 51,000 beneficiaries in Kurmuk and Geissan localities. However, restrictions on access to SPLM-N areas, where precarious food security conditions persist, are still in place.