New Delhi: The United Nations warned of a ‘spiraling humanitarian crisis’ in Sudan, with millions facing severe food insecurity and famine conditions already confirmed in one camp. The UN agencies UNHCR and UNICEF are calling for immediate international action to address the crisis, including unimpeded access to deliver aid to those in need, a UNICEF release stated.
Conflict in Sudan has displaced over 11 million people both within the country and internationally, pushing millions more into extreme vulnerability. An estimated 13 million people face acute food insecurity, with 14 regions at risk of famine. Famine conditions have already been confirmed in Zamzam camp in North Darfur, the UN agency noted.
“There are 3.7 million children under five projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year alone and are in urgent need of life-saving treatment,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban. Hunger weakens these children, making them 11 times more likely to die from preventable diseases than healthier peers.
The Government of Sudan and all other parties to conflict should avoid burdensome administrative requirements and facilitate the delivery of supplies without delay to communities in need, said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou, the release stated. The crisis has led to one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with over 10 million Sudanese displaced multiple times and over 800,000 refugees hosted within Sudan.
UN agencies also warned that without sustained international backing, including a political solution to the conflict and the removal of bureaucratic and security obstacles, the situation will continue to worsen.