The United Nations has issued a stark warning about an unfolding child malnutrition crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region,as conflict-driven hunger and collapsing aid access push the region closer to famine.
UNICEF reports a 46% surge in severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases among children across Darfur’s five states in the first five months of 2025. In North Darfur alone,over 40,000 children have been admitted for treatment — double the number from last year. “These children are hungry because of conflict and are being denied the assistance that could save their lives,” said UNICEF Sudan representative Sheldon Yett. “This is a moment of truth — children’s lives depend on whether the world chooses to act or look away.” The crisis is worsening elsewhere in Sudan,with malnutrition admissions skyrocketing by 70% in North Kordofan,174% in Khartoum,and an alarming 683% in Al Jazirah.
While some spikes may reflect improved access,overall the numbers signal a national emergency. Conditions are especially dire in El Fasher and Zamzam camp,where ongoing fighting has displaced over 400,000 people and halted aid deliveries. Hospitals have been bombed,roads blocked,and food supplies looted. Therapeutic nutrition stocks in Al Fasher are now depleted. UNICEF is calling for an immediate $200 million funding boost and demanding unrestricted humanitarian access. Without urgent global action,the agency warns,thousands more children could die — not from natural disaster,but from deliberate inaction amid war.
United News - unews.co.za