As fighting between Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army enters a second month, the World Food Programme says aid has reached only 3 per cent of people in need in Khartoum.
Abdel Mageed Yahia, WFP UAE Director and Representative for the GCC told The National that a lack of access in Sudan was “unprecedented” in comparison to other war zones in the region.
“We had planned to reach 500,000 people but we managed to reach only 15,000 so far in Khartoum,” he said.
Three WFP staff members were killed and two injured when the war broke out on April 15, prompting the group to suspend its work in the Darfur region of Sudan for two weeks.
The WFP says it has assisted more than 780,000 people so far with emergency food in 13 of the country's 18 states since operations resumed on May 3.
“At least when ISIS had completely besieged Syria's Deir Ezzor in 2017, we were able to perform high altitude air drops”, which is not possible in Khartoum today, he said.
Numerous ceasefires have been repeatedly breached “from the moment they were signed”, Mr Yahia said.
“The needs are continuously increasing,” he added.
Humanitarian corridors agreed on by the warring parties through a US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire provided the only opportunity for what little aid has arrived, Mr Yahia said.
He said the security situation in Sudan was to blame. “Some neighbourhoods show no signs of life,” he said. Millions have fled their homes and become internally displaced or have sought safety in Chad, Egypt and the Central African Republic.
Additionally, WFP warehouses have been looted on more than one occasion.
“In total, we lost $60 million worth of food, vehicles and assets, excluding last week in Al Obaid,” Mr Yahia said. “Around 17,600 metric tonnes were taken in the first looting. Now what's being looted is 22,000 metric tonnes and we don't know the value of that because we don't have access.”
He said it was difficult to ascertain the groups responsible for the thefts.
The food taken in the first round of looting was enough to feed 4.4 million people for a month.
“Two weeks ago, they broke into our offices in Khartoum and they took vehicles and office supplies,” Mr Yahia said.
He said soaring food prices and the fact that banks aren't operating had exacerbated the situation for people who were bound to reach a point where finding food is difficult.
“It's also a matter of time before fuel runs out,” he added.
Mr Yahia revealed that local neighbourhood groups are helping to distribute the WFP aid.
“They are going from door-to-door at times, even cooking in one home and distributing those meals to others in need,” he said.
“Up to 2.5 million additional people in Sudan are expected to slip into hunger in the coming months because of the ongoing violence in the country,” the WFP said.
“The rise will see over 40 per cent of Sudan’s population – more than 19 million people – facing hunger. This is the highest number ever recorded in the country.”
At least 700 people have been killed so far and more than 5,420 injured in the conflict, Sudan's Ministry of Health said.
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
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Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Jurassic%20Park
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Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
