The Sudanese government has decided to suspend its involvement in the international hunger-monitoring system just before the release of a report that is expected to reveal the spread of famine across the country. This decision is likely to hamper efforts to address one of the world’s major hunger crises. In a letter dated Dec. 23, the government’s agriculture minister announced the halt in participation in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system, citing concerns about the reliability of the reports issued by IPC, which were seen as undermining Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity.
The upcoming report by IPC, scheduled to be published on Tuesday, is anticipated to highlight famine affecting five areas in Sudan, with a potential expansion to 10 areas by May. The deepening food and nutrition crisis is attributed to the ongoing conflict and limited humanitarian access. A spokesperson for IPC declined to provide a statement on the matter.
The withdrawal of Sudan from the IPC system is feared to impede humanitarian aid efforts for millions of Sudanese experiencing severe hunger. An anonymous leader of a non-governmental organization working in Sudan emphasized that while the withdrawal won’t alter the hunger situation on the ground, it will hinder the international community’s ability to address the crisis effectively. The absence of independent analysis is likened to navigating blindly through the food insecurity storm.
No immediate response was received from a diplomat at Sudan’s mission to the United Nations in New York regarding the decision to disengage from IPC. The IPC, funded by Western nations and overseen by humanitarian organizations and intergovernmental institutions, plays a crucial role in monitoring and addressing hunger crises worldwide to prevent famine and mass starvation.
The IPC collaborates with national governments to analyze food insecurity data and report on conditions within a country. However, the system has faced challenges in Sudan due to the civil war outbreak in April 2023, disrupting data collection in conflict-affected areas. Recent reports have highlighted the government’s interference with the IPC’s operations, delaying famine determinations and obstructing data collection efforts.
In a letter addressed to the IPC and its Famine Review Committee, as well as diplomats, the Sudanese government expressed doubts about the forthcoming IPC report, citing concerns about outdated malnutrition data and crop productivity assessments. The letter also highlighted issues with collecting data from areas controlled by paramilitary forces.
The IPC has encountered obstacles in other countries like Myanmar and Yemen, where authorities have attempted to impede the hunger-monitoring process by hindering data flow or suppressing findings.
The government of Myanmar has recently removed its assessment on hunger from its official website, citing concerns for the safety of researchers. According to a report by Reuters, representatives of the ruling military junta in Myanmar have cautioned aid workers against disclosing data and analysis that reveal the widespread prevalence of serious hunger in the country. In a similar vein, the Ethiopian government expressed dissatisfaction with an IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) report in 2021, which highlighted that 350,000 individuals were facing catastrophic acute food insecurity. As a result, the government decided to halt its collaboration with the IPC.
Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, condemned Sudan’s decision to cease cooperation with the IPC as “both pathetic and tragic.” De Waal, a prominent expert on famine, noted the long-standing pattern of the Sudanese government denying the existence of famine for over four decades. He emphasized that whenever famine strikes Sudan, the government prioritizes its own sovereignty and reputation over the well-being of its citizens.
The actions taken by these governments raise concerns about their commitment to addressing food insecurity and ensuring the welfare of their populations. The suppression of crucial information on hunger and food insecurity not only hampers efforts to provide assistance to those in need but also underscores a troubling disregard for the lives and dignity of vulnerable individuals.
Authored by Khalid Abdelaziz, Ryan McNeill, Nafisa Eltahir, Steve Stecklow, and Lena Masri. Edited by Janet Roberts.
