UN agencies warn of imminent famine and aid obstacles in Sudan

UN agencies issued a stark warning on Friday regarding severe access constraints in Sudan, which are obstructing vital aid delivery and monitoring efforts. Currently, 14 regions are on the verge of famine, with millions of children at risk of severe malnutrition.

“Access challenges in Sudan are significantly impeding our ability to provide essential supplies and protection to the most vulnerable populations,” stated UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that famine conditions have been reported in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, with 14 additional regions facing similar threats. An alarming 3.7 million children under five are projected to experience severe acute malnutrition this year, urgently needing life-saving interventions.

This situation exacerbates an already dire displacement crisis, with over 10 million individuals uprooted within Sudan and more than 800,000 refugees taking shelter within its borders.

While UNHCR, UNICEF, and their partners are striving to provide essential services, they caution that the circumstances will deteriorate further without ongoing international support. This support must include a political resolution to the ongoing conflict and the alleviation of bureaucratic and security hurdles.

“Without sustained international commitment—particularly regarding a political solution to the conflict and the elimination of bureaucratic and security barriers—the crisis will only escalate,” the agencies warned.

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