Through the five states that make up the Darfur, Unicef The data revealed a 46% increase In the number of children treated for SAM in January until May 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The acute malnutrition rate has exceeded the emergency levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) In 9 of the 13 localities in Darfur.
North of Darfur, more than 40,000 children were admitted for SAM treatment in the first five months of the year – double the number of the same period last year.
Besieged and hungry
This increase in malnutrition has occurred in the intensification of conflicts in the north of Darfur since April. Wonderful districts have been besieged, hospitals targeted by air strikes, the roads made impracticable while the convoys of aid have been faced with attacks of looting and violence.
The situation is particularly catastrophic in El Fasher, where humanitarian access was almost completely experienced since the RSF militia besieged the city – the last detainee by government forces in the region – and reduced aid in April 2023.
UNICEF has achieved a share of supplies in El Fasher earlier this year, but efforts to send additional aid were blocked.
“” The children of Darfur are hungry by conflicts and cut off from the very help that could save them“Said Sheldon Yett, representative of Unicef for Sudan.” It is a moment of truth; Children’s life depends on the fact that the world chooses to act or look away. »»
The crisis launched a mass movement in the region: in April, nearly 400,000 people fled the Zamzam camp near El Fasher. Many have walked up to 70 kilometers to reach Tawila, where more than 500,000 displaced people survive little access to food, water or adequate shelter.
National crisis
Sam is the deadliest form of malnutrition, and children who suffer from it are very vulnerable to potentially fatal complications and face a high risk of death without appropriate treatment.
And the crisis is not limited to the States of Darfur – SAM admissions have increased more than 70% in the north of Kordofan,, 174% in the state of Khartoum And an amazing 683% in the state of Al Jazirah.
However, the report noted that the increase in admissions to Al Jazirah and Khartoum is partly due to improving safety and humanitarian access, allowing more families to reach health centers.
The Sudan crisis is aggravated the lean season of Sudan – a period of food shortage between crops – which quickly increases the risk of mass infant mortality, in particular in areas already from famine thresholds.
Cholera epidemics, measles cases and collapsing health services further worsen the crisis, which puts vulnerable children at risk.
UNICEF response
Unicef and its partners save lives by treating the wounded and Mal Nourris, drilling wells and distributing food. But despite their best efforts, violence leads the needs faster than they can be met.
UNICEF asks all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations and urges renewed diplomatic pressure from all sides for a cessation of hostilities.
The agency also uses the international community for more rescue funds. Additional $ 200 million is necessary this year to maintain and extend essential nutrition services, including treatment of acute malnutrition.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
