E/C.12/SDN/CO/2 Food insecurity 49. The Committee is concerned at food insecurity in the State party and particularly at the fact that the minimum essential level of the right to food is not realized for a segment of the population, including undernourished children and those who depend on humanitarian aid. Moreover, the Committee is concerned that the State party’s agricultural policy is not primarily targeted at the realization of the right to food, as evidenced by the fact that the country is a net exporter of food. (art. 11) 50. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate the resources necessary to ensure the satisfaction of the minimum essential level of food required for everyone to be free from hunger. The Committee also recommends that the State party anchor its food and agriculture policies to the realization of the right to adequate food. In this regard, priority for land use and agricultural projects should be accorded to ensure domestic food and nutrition security. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food. Access to health-care services 51. The Committee is concerned that half of the population does not have access to basic health services. It is also concerned that a third of public health facilities are not fully functioning, owing to staff shortage and poor physical infrastructure. The Committee is further concerned that, as a result, maternal and child mortality rates remain very high in spite of the implementation of policies such as the Roadmap for Reducing Maternal and Newborn Mortality in the Sudan. (art. 12) 52. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure access to the essential primary health package for all. It also recommends that the State party ensure the appropriate training of medical personnel and the provision of a sufficient number of health-care facilities. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Access to education 53. The Committee expresses concern at the large number of children who are not in school, including as a result of dropping out. The Committee is also concerned at the slow pace of progress made in the provision of primary education free to all. (arts. 13 and 14) 54. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that action and resource plans are adopted and implemented at the federal and state levels to accelerate the attainment of universal primary education, addressing the obstacles that leave many children without education. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that the federal Government discharge its obligation to transfer funds to constituent states that rely thereon to finance education. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 13 (1999) on the right to education. Right to take part in cultural life 55. The Committee is concerned that the freedom indispensable for the enjoyment of the right to take part in cultural life, required in article 15 of the Covenant, is not sufficiently respected in the State party. (art. 15) 56. Recalling its obligation under article 15 of the Covenant, the Committee recommends that the State party fully respect the freedom indispensable for the enjoyment of the right to take part in cultural life, especially freedom of expression, 9