The ongoing deadly clashes in the Darfur region of western Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have exacerbated food shortages and malnutrition, according to the Health Ministry of North Darfur State. The ministry reported increasing rates of acute malnutrition among children during the first quarter of 2024, with a total of 561 cases recorded, including 268 in El Fasher, 160 in Zamzam camp, and 133 in Abu Shouk camp.
Ibrahim Khatir, the ministry’s director-general, warned of a possible increase in malnutrition rates in the near future, attributing it to ongoing conflict, disruptions in humanitarian aid, the cessation of international organizations’ activities, and a decrease in cultivated areas. Meanwhile, the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees stated that over 561 children have died from food shortages and malnutrition due to the war, with more than 5.9 million displaced people in Darfur camps facing severe food shortages.
Adam Rijal, a spokesperson for the body, highlighted the dire shortage of basic foodstuffs, including fortified food for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and the elderly. He warned of a potential collapse of the health system in the camps due to shortages of essential medicine and the closure of primary healthcare centers because of insufficient medical staff and supplies. Rijal also emphasized a severe shortage of clean water, with 70% of water sources in the displacement camps being inoperable.
According to Rijal, over one million children in the camps are suffering from acute malnutrition. The United Nations Children’s Fund estimated last year that over 13.6 million Sudanese children were in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian aid. In early February, the UN agency warned that around 700,000 Sudanese children might experience the most severe form of malnutrition this year, potentially leading to tens of thousands of deaths.
The UN’s humanitarian response plan for Sudan in 2024 requires an estimated fund of 2.7 billion U.S. dollars to cover the needs of 14.7 million people, with only 135.9 million dollars currently received. The UN also stated that half of Sudan’s population, approximately 25 million people, require humanitarian assistance and protection, with nearly 18 million facing acute food insecurity.
The deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023 have resulted in the displacement of about 8.1 million people in Sudan, including approximately 6.3 million internally displaced individuals. The Sudan situation report updated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs last month indicated that about 13,900 people have been killed since the fighting began, based on data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
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