A report from the aid organization Islamic Relief indicates that a network of community kitchens in Sudan is nearing collapse. This warning follows a UN-backed global hunger monitor's confirmation of spreading famine conditions in conflict zones across the country. These locally managed kitchens operate in areas challenging for international humanitarian groups to access.
Operational Challenges
The kitchens face closure due to a combination of neglect, shortages of resources, and volunteer fatigue. Sudan has been affected by over two years of conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. An estimated 24 million people currently experience acute food shortages.
According to the Islamic Relief report, most kitchens are projected to cease operations within six months if conditions do not change, with only a few potentially surviving in each area. These local initiatives often function alongside Emergency Response Rooms, which have compensated for the deficiencies in government services and limited international aid. Volunteers, including teachers, engineers, and young people, contribute to these efforts.
Funding and Resource Issues
Financial instability is a primary concern for the kitchens. Funding is now predominantly sourced from the Sudanese diaspora, following USAID funding reductions earlier in the year. A volunteer reported that this change removed a