More than half of Sudan's population is enduring a hunger crisis, with approximately 755,000 facing starvation, a UN-backed report said.
Another 8.5 million are at emergency levels of hunger, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed in its findings published on Friday.
“Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded by the IPC in the country,” the report said.
The Sudanese civil war has led to the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than nine million people forced to flee.
The response to this crisis is too important to continue to be held back by warring factions who do not represent the interests of the Sudanese people
UAE government letter to the UN Security Council
Fighting broke out in April last year after weeks of tension between the army and the Rapid Support Forces militia over details of the country's transition to civilian democracy.
The UN estimates that more than 150,000 people have been killed.
Barrett Alexander, the director of programmes in Sudan for Mercy Corps, said even that figure could be an underestimate as the conflict has displaced farmers from the country's agricultural areas.
“We're seeing a man-made likely famine happen in front of our eyes that's primarily conflict-induced,” he told AFP.
“We are deeply shocked by the dire situation affecting millions of Sudanese,” said Samy Guessabi, Action Against Hunger’s Sudan country director.
“This situation is especially critical for populations trapped in conflict zones and without access to protection.”
Famine-like conditions are present in Greater Darfur, Al Jazirah, Khartoum, Blue Nile, South and North Kordofan as well as five other states, the report said. There is risk of famine in 14 areas if the war escalates.
The fighting has destroyed infrastructure, agricultural land, and water services. Food prices have also soared by up to 296 per cent since the start of the war for some commodities, the IPC said.
“The magnitude of this crisis requires a co-ordinated and sustained response to avoid an even greater humanitarian catastrophe,” said Mr Guessabi.
The report also called for more aid to be sent to the country whose share of donations has suffered as other conflicts such as Ukraine are given priority.
The UAE and the UN's refugee agency on Wednesday finalised a $20 million aid package to deliver humanitarian support in Sudan.
The UAE has sent a letter to the UN Security Council calling for urgent action to avert famine in Sudan.
“The international community must significantly increase its support to Sudan," the statement read, according to state news agency Wam on Saturday.
"The response to this crisis is too important to continue to be held back by warring factions who do not represent the interests of the Sudanese people.
"The UAE remains focused on working with international partners to mitigate the risk of famine and to encourage the warring parties to engage positively in a political process."
The UAE reiterated its “support for efforts to de-escalate tensions, implement a ceasefire and advance negotiations leading to the restoration of a legitimate government that is representative of all Sudanese people”.
Abdalla Hamdok, former prime minister of Sudan, has called for urgent action in the country.
In an exclusive interview with The National, Mr Hamdok, chairman of the Co-ordination of Civilian Democratic Forces said that “people could die from hunger and starvation more than from bullets”.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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More on Quran memorisation:
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
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Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
