New Delhi: The Famine Review Committee (FRC) has declared a famine situation in a North Darfur camp in Sudan, a UNICEF press release stated.
The declaration of famine in the Zamzam camp is based on the identification of severely acute malnutrition (SAM) among people in the region, as well as other indicators of food insecurity and malnutrition. The FRC warns that other parts of Sudan could also face famine if urgent action is not taken.
The conflict in Sudan, ongoing for over 15 months, has severely disrupted humanitarian access, which has been essential for the prevention and treatment of famine. It has also caused rising food prices, which are compounding the challenges faced by people struggling to afford food. The situation remains critical across the whole country, with an estimated 730,000 children projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition this year.
The UNICEF and WFP have called on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need. The international community must take urgent action to prevent a further humanitarian crisis in Sudan, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said.