UN Warns Sudan Faces Urgent Humanitarian Crisis Amid Looming Famine

The UN warns that over 600,000 people in Sudan are near starvation as famine takes hold, particularly in the Zamzam refugee camp, prompting UN human rights chief Volker Turk to call for immediate action. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, along with a healthcare crisis further worsened by disease outbreaks. Children are especially vulnerable amid these conditions.

The United Nations has issued a dire warning regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, stating that over 600,000 individuals are on the verge of starvation. UN human rights chief Volker Turk emphasized that famine has taken root in five locations, particularly at the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, where humanitarian efforts have been halted due to escalating violence.

During his address to the UN Human Rights Council, Turk indicated that Sudan is “looking into the abyss,” predicting that famine could expand to five additional areas within the next three months. He identified another 17 regions as being at risk in what he described as the “world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe.”

On Monday, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) suspended operations in Zamzam, where half a million people are sheltered. The World Food Programme (WFP) halted its assistance shortly thereafter due to intensified fighting between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has notably impacted food deliveries to the camp’s residents.

WFP had been supplying food to around 300,000 residents but had only managed to reach approximately 60,000 individuals this month amid a surge of violence and attacks on critical infrastructure. Recent satellite imagery has confirmed the use of heavy weaponry in Zamzam, emphasizing the escalating conflict.

Since the onset of the war in April 2023, tens of thousands of Sudanese have perished, and over 12 million have been displaced, creating what Turk referred to as the “biggest displacement crisis in the world.” With approximately 30.4 million people requiring urgent assistance, Sudan’s healthcare system remains under severe pressure, and the spread of disease continues in displacement camps across the country.

The Health Ministry reported a choleral outbreak in the southern state of White Nile, resulting in at least 70 fatalities and over 2,200 infections. This health crisis has been exacerbated by a recent attack on essential infrastructure that disrupted access to clean water. Numerous cases of cholera—over 55,000 reported—highlight the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

Mohamed Abdiladif, the country director for Save the Children in Sudan, remarked on the harrowing plight facing children in the nation, noting their entrapment in an ongoing cycle of violence, disease, and hunger, which has profoundly detrimental effects on their well-being.

The situation in Sudan is rapidly becoming one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with significant numbers facing starvation and disease amid ongoing conflict. Immediate international action is crucial to alleviate the suffering of millions displaced by violence and famine. The combined efforts to restore humanitarian aid and stabilize the region are essential in preventing further deterioration of living conditions.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com