A food security report supported by the United Nations determined on Thursday that over a year of conflict in Sudan has driven certain regions of North Darfur into famine, including a camp for displaced individuals sheltering over 500,000 people.
The report indicates that, for the first time in the history of the IPC survey in Sudan, extreme hunger conditions are expected, with 14 regions identified as “at risk of famine” in the near future, according to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Although it provides the necessary evidence, the IPC does not officially declare famine. The IPC indicates that severe hunger is expected to continue in North Darfur, including at the Zamzam displacement camp, which is about 12 kilometers (7 miles) south of El Fasher, through the end of October.
The United Nations reports that since mid-April, around 320,000 people have been displaced by fighting in El Fasher, with approximately 150,000 to 200,000 of these individuals relocating to the Zamzam camp since mid-May. The camp’s population has reportedly surged to over 500,000 in just a few weeks.
The food crisis has been worsened by the ongoing conflict between rival generals leading the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces over the past 15 months.
The U.N. reports that, in addition to areas facing famine, approximately 25.6 million people—about half of Sudan’s population—are experiencing severe food insecurity. Dujarric stated that the World Food Program is urgently working to enhance its emergency response and exploring new methods to reach millions across Sudan, especially in hard-to-access regions.
Dujarric said, “Our colleagues at WFP are stressing that we are racing against the clock to prevent famine. There is an urgent need for a significant increase in funding to scale up aid to the necessary level to avert famine.”
The United Nations has requested $2.7 billion for Sudan this year but has only received around a third of that—$870 million.
Dujarric also warned, “We and our partners are concerned that if the conflict persists, more people will face severe hunger.”
Mercy Corps noted that the IPC famine report represents “just the beginning” of the issue.
Barrett Alexander, Mercy Corps’ director of programs for Sudan, remarked, “We can only speculate on the severity of starvation and deprivation in other areas where we don’t have similar data, especially in the 14 regions highlighted in the latest IPC report, including Greater Darfur, the Kordofan regions, and Khartoum State.”
He added that a recent evaluation by his team in Central and South Darfur revealed that 90% of children, particularly those under five, are experiencing life-threatening malnutrition.
On Monday, the U.N. Security Council voiced its concern about the humanitarian crisis and urged the global community to boost support.
On July 18, the United States announced an additional $203 million in humanitarian aid to support those affected by the conflict both within Sudan and in neighboring countries where refugees have fled.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that the IPC report validates what was already known: people in Sudan are still dying from starvation.
“Families who have fled from brutal violence have been suffering from hunger for months,” she said in a statement. “Children have been forced to eat dirt and leaves, and every day, infants are dying from starvation.”
She called on the warring parties to participate in the cease-fire talks scheduled for August 14 in Switzerland, which are being mediated by the United States and co-hosted by Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.