Severe food shortages in North Darfur

The Minister of agriculture for North Darfur, Howa Suleiman announced severe food shortages in the north-eastern parts of the state. Suleiman named the localities of Malha, Kuma, Melit, Dar el Salaam and Kilimondo as especially affected. In an interview with Radio Dabanga the Minister said there is a deficit of 120,000 tonnes of grain, primarily millet, for humans and animals alike, with many fleeing the area to search for food. She attributed the crop deficit to a lack of rain during the planting season. The state governor Mohammed Yousuf Kibir and the World Food Programme have both reported North Darfur as one of the most affected states by food shortages. Separately, the Minister denied there is any corruption involved in the state’s Abu Hamra agricultural project, despite the fact that citizens of the area have seen no benefits in 30 years. Suleiman said the funds are invested in the construction of a three-storey building in order to prevent the loss of money. She also discredited claims of employees manipulating or exploiting equipment belonging to the project. The Minister said employees are still receiving salaries as the project is ongoing, and the security situation in North Darfur has caused the delays.