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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the food situation in Darfur. [224345] Hilary Benn: The food security situation in Darfur is precarious. Of immediate concern are the increasing signs of food shortages among the general population, expected after the failure of the 2004 harvest season. In February 2005 the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed food for 1.6 million beneficiaries from a target of 2 million in Darfur (80 per cent.). The shortfall was due to security, access and logistics difficulties, though it is a significant improvement on the January distribution figures of 1.2 million from a 1.8 million target (66 per cent.). Nutrition levels continue to be a concern across Darfur and the picture is mixed. According to UNICEF there is growing evidence that the nutritional situation in select parts of Darfur is improving. The agency stated that admissions to therapeutic feeding centres have stabilised and decreased in most locations, indicating a potential decrease in the global acute malnutrition rate. However, in South Darfur, feeding centres run by Action Contra la Faim and Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) in Kalma Camp are operating at maximum capacity and the WFP has advised its partners to continue blanket supplementary feeding to improve children's nutrition. Meanwhile, World Vision continues to report high admission rates in Mershing, Manawashi and Duma feeding centres. In North Darfur an MSF rapid health and nutrition assessment of 330 children in Dali camp indicated that 10.7 per cent. were moderately malnourished and 0.9 per cent. severely malnourished. The UN is beginning to pre-position food stocks ready for the rainy season. Jan Pronk, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Sudan, has commented that although humanitarian access is still only 75 per cent., for the first time the humanitarian situation appears containable.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

224345; 432 c1408W;432 c1404W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Food Nutrition Sudan Darfur Food aid

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk