Sudan is on the brink of famine as ongoing conflict and violence trigger a humanitarian crisis. Millions face acute food insecurity, particularly in the Darfur region. Aid withdrawal and corruption complicate relief efforts, with severe malnutrition reported among children. The crisis has led to massive displacements and fatalities, underscoring the need for urgent assistance.
Sudan is facing an extreme humanitarian crisis exacerbated by famine and ongoing conflict. In the Darfur region, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces dominate, hunger severely impacts the population. A number of aid organizations have withdrawn due to escalating violence and obstacles impeding humanitarian efforts, leaving many in dire conditions.
Families like that of Taysir Sabri are struggling immensely; her children have lost weight, and her youngest is resorting to eating dirt due to iron deficiency. With her husband’s job lost in April 2023, the family has to survive on minimal meals, often just once a day, dependent on his sporadic work availability.
The conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF has led to widespread food insecurity, affecting 24.6 million individuals across the country. U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that evidence suggests famine conditions in at least five areas including North Darfur, where families are forced to consume livestock feed to survive.
The Zamzam camp represents a critical point in this crisis, hosting around a million displaced individuals amid continuous violence. Famine was already declared in the camp in August 2024, with aid severely restricted and prices skyrocketing. An aid worker noted that the main water source was also destroyed, further complicating the humanitarian response.
In Khartoum State, where fighting has been intense, malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with a volunteer indicating that out of 360 tested children, 170 are experiencing severe malnutrition. The ongoing military siege could lead to more deaths from hunger unless the situation improves.
The economic crisis worsens as the prices of essential goods have quadrupled due to various factors, including budget cuts to USAID funding made during the Trump administration. Corruption also plays a critical role, with reports indicating that up to 50 percent of aid is diverted to military or regime-affiliated individuals. Volunteers providing aid are likewise at risk, with numerous aid workers endangered amid the violence.
Since April 2023, the conflict has claimed over 20,000 lives, and UN estimates put the displaced population at 14 million, although some studies suggest a much higher casualty figure.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, driven by famine and ongoing conflict, has resulted in alarming levels of hunger and displacement. Millions are at risk due to escalating violence and withdrawal of aid organizations, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support. Corruption and economic mismanagement further complicate the already dire situation, leaving many families struggling to survive the harsh realities of war and deprivation.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
