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Sudan: Humanitarian Bulletin | Issue 04 | 12 – 25 February 2018 [EN/AR]

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Sudan
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HIGHLIGHTS

  • FAO held its 30th Regional Conference for Africa between 19-23 February in Khartoum.

  • Ending hunger can be achieved by scaling up efforts and fostering partnership towards resource mobilization - FAO.

  • Prices of main staples rose sharply in Sudan for the third consecutive month in January, despite the recently completed main season harvest - FAO FPMA Bulletin.

  • MC Scotland brings safe water and sanitation to 40,000 people in East Jebel Marra using solar panels with SHF support.

FAO Regional Conference for Africa in Khartoum discusses sustainable development

Ministers of agriculture met this month in Khartoum to chart a new path for agricultural development, food and nutrition security in Africa. The ministers met during the 30th Regional Conference for Africa titled ‘Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Food Systems in Africa: Improving the means of Production and the Creation of Decent and Attractive Employment for Youth.”

The conference, held on 19-23 February, discussed climate change and resilience building to address the vulnerability of Africa’s agriculture and rural livelihoods. In an OpEd ahead of the Africa Regional Conference, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said: “It is encouraging that some parts of the continent have made some significant progress, but significant challenges remain for all”.

In Sudan, for example, the prevalence of undernourishment in the total population of the country from 2014 to 2016 was 25.6 per cent, according to the 2017 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report. This represents a 40 per cent reduction in levels of under-nourishment, as compared with 1990 levels, to 27.5 per cent (2000-2002) and even further to 25 per cent in 2005-2007, as analysed in the State of Food Insecurity in the World Report 2015.

2017 Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition

The increase of hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 is directly linked to conflict and the impacts of climate change, such as prolonged drought, which has affected rural areas of many countries, said the FAO Director-General. Low levels of productivity, weak valuechains and high levels of vulnerability to crises have also contributed to the deterioration of food and agriculture systems and rural livelihoods, especially in relation to the poorest people.

Bukar Tijani, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, said during the conference that the goal of ending hunger can be achieved by scaling up joint efforts and fostering resource mobilization partnerships, including through the promotion of South-South Cooperation. He encouraged all stakeholders across the region and beyond to work together to create more synergies and consolidate existing collaborations.

Causes for optimism

One reason for optimism is that the political will to redouble anti-hunger efforts is running higher than ever, said the FAO Director-General during the conference. This effort was manifested in the high prominence the issue received during the recent African Union Summit attended by the continent's top leaders as well as United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres.

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