- Safiu Kehinde
The United Nations have warned over the escalation of humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
According to UN humanitarians, Sudan is facing the world’s most severe hunger crisis, with over half of its population, 26 million people, suffering high levels of acute hunger.
This was disclosed in a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
It noted that famine has been confirmed in North Darfur State’s Zamzam camp, with many other areas at risk.
About five million children, pregnant and breastfeeding women have been acutely malnourished, it added.
“Health care and basic services have been decimated, cholera and other diseases are on the rise, and children are out of school for a second straight year,” OCHA stated.
“As hostilities continue unabated, humanitarian action to support millions of people in Sudan and the region has never been more urgent,” it stressed.
It noted that factors such as underfunding, insecurity, and restricted humanitarian access continue to hamper relief efforts.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The conflict has resulted in approximately 20,000 deaths, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of millions, according to a press release published by OCHA’s website.