The UN has warned that over 600,000 people in Sudan face starvation due to escalating conflict, with famine now affecting several regions. Urgent action is required to end the war and restore humanitarian assistance. The health system is under strain, with cholera outbreaks further jeopardizing vulnerable populations, particularly children.
The United Nations has issued a dire warning regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, stating that over 600,000 individuals are on the brink of starvation amidst ongoing conflict. UN human rights chief Volker Turk emphasized that famine is becoming prevalent in five specific regions, including the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, where operations by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) were recently halted due to increased violence.
Turk addressed the UN Human Rights Council, asserting that Sudan is “looking into the abyss,” and predicted that famine could spread to an additional five areas in the next three months, with 17 more regions identified as at risk. He characterized the situation as the “world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe,” warning that further violence could lead to mass deaths and atrocity crimes without immediate intervention to end the conflict and restore agricultural activities.
The ongoing war, which commenced in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities and caused a massive displacement crisis, with over 12 million people displaced internally and externally. Turk noted that the recent actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to assert control may exacerbate divisions and hostilities within the nation, stressing that around 30.4 million individuals require urgent assistance, particularly in food and healthcare.
The health infrastructure in Sudan is severely compromised, with less than 30 percent of medical facilities operational and a rising incidence of diseases in displacement camps. Cholera is currently spreading in the southern state of White Nile, leading to significant casualties and overwhelming local healthcare resources. The outbreak is linked to damaged infrastructure, further complicating access to clean water and sanitation.
Mohamed Abdiladif, Save the Children’s country director for Sudan, highlighted the plight of children caught in a relentless cycle of violence, hunger, and disease, which has devastating repercussions on their well-being and future prospects.
In summary, the situation in Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, with mass starvation threatening hundreds of thousands and rampant disease exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Urgent international intervention is essential to prevent further loss of life and to provide necessary aid. The UN’s warnings underline the critical need for action to restore stability and address the ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
