The World Food Program (WFP) warned on Friday that there is a severe shortage of funds for the relief work in Sudan, where some 6 million people need food aid.

Despite repeated appeals to donor countries, the WFP has only received 238 million U.S. dollars, which is far less than the 746 million U.S. dollars needed, spokeswoman Christiane Berthiaume told reporters.

She said due to the shortage of funds, the WFP would have to cut by half food rations for the millions of vulnerable persons in Sudan.

This has been a very difficult decision to take as people in Sudan, especially in Darfur, had already suffered so much, she added.

According to Berthiaume, the WFP has to keep part of its limited stocks to help the people through the rainy season, also called the hunger season, which lasts from July until September when the harvest is ready.

She said donor fatigue and competing emergencies in other parts of the world were reasons for the lack of funds.

Besides, there is still no possible solution in sight for the long time civil war in Darfur, which is increasing the number of people in need of food aid.

Source: Xinhua