By Gift Briton

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) requires $123 million to support communities in Sudan grappling with the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict for the next 12 months.

Through its emergency response plan, the organization will distribute seeds, livestock treatment kits and provide veterinary and fisheries support to boost crop production, improve seed diversification and protect animal stock from depleting.

The initiative is also expected to meet the cereal requirements of up to 19 million people for the upcoming 2023 harvest and benefit farmers, herders, and fishers in Sudan’s most food-insecure areas.

“Millions of people across Sudan are facing a battle for survival as the food security crisis worsens. This emergency response plan aims to provide farming, herding and fishing families with the basics they need to keep production going and feed themselves and their communities,” Hongjie Yang, FAO Representative in the Sudan said.

The plan will deploy a combination of unconditional cash assistance and livelihood support, including seeds and tools, along with training, to reach the most vulnerable households.

According to the organization, more than 20 million people, over 42 percent Sudan’s population, experienced high levels of acute food insecurity between July and September, a situation that has been exacerbated by the ongoing war in the country.

Under FAO’s plan, vulnerable households will receive high-quality seeds of cowpea, groundnut, millet, okra and sorghum for the 2024 summer season; and chickpea, cucumber, pigeon pea, tomato and watermelon for the 2023 winter season.

Farmers will also be trained in best practices to enhance the handling of post-harvest produce, including important by-products such as manure.

Also, amid the intense fighting, FAO’s plan prioritizes mass vaccination campaigns to protect six million sheep, goats and cattle against devastating diseases, including peste des petits ruminants (ovine rinderpest), sheep and goat pox, and foot-and-mouth disease and support 50,000 people, including 10,000 fishing households, with equipment such as boats and gear.