The situation in western Sudan is "shocking" and people in the capital, Khartoum face "absolutely devastating" conditions according to a senior UN official in the African country.
Speaking in Port Sudan after a visit to Khartoum, Samantha Chattaraj, Emergency Coordinator for the UN's World Food Programme ( WFP ) in Sudan, said that "vast parts of the city are destroyed. Levels of hunger and desperation are extremely high," but she added "people remain hopeful."
Sudan is currently the only country in the world where famine has been officially confirmed.
Half of its population is facing extreme hunger, and nearly five million children and breastfeeding mothers are severely malnourished.
Ms. Chattaraj said that in March, WFP was able to reach four million people across Sudan, the highest number since the conflict broke out over two years ago.
"This marked an important step in getting food to people who have been cut off from aid for a long time," she added.
However, she added that "the need is far greater. With 27 areas either in famine or at high risk, the recent progress still covers only a small part of what's required to stop the crisis."
