A recent UNICEF survey reveals a catastrophic hunger crisis unfolding in Sudan, particularly in the North Darfur locality of Umm Baru. The assessment found that 53 percent of children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, placing them at immediate risk.
Worsening Conditions in North Darfur
The situation in Umm Baru is described as “unprecedented” by the UN, exceeding the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold by more than three times. One in six children under five are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition that, if left untreated, can lead to death within weeks, according to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. Russell emphasized that “time becomes the most critical factor” for these children.
North Darfur is currently considered the “epicentre” of Sudan’s starvation crisis, a consequence of the ongoing civil war. Many residents of Umm Baru are displaced people who fled the city of el-Fasher following its takeover by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in October.
Famine and Atrocities
The escalating crisis follows the declaration of a famine in North Darfur last year, initially in the Zamzam displacement camp. Since then, famine conditions have spread to Kadugli and el-Fasher. Recent reports indicate el-Fasher, after being under siege, has been largely deserted, described by aid workers as a “crime scene.” Over 100,000 people—more than a third of the city’s former population of 260,000—have fled the area.
Satellite imagery analyzed by experts at the Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab reportedly shows el-Fasher was turned into a “slaughterhouse.” British lawmakers have been briefed that a conservative estimate of 60,000 people were killed during and after the RSF takeover.
Calls for Accountability
The atrocities committed in Sudan have prompted renewed calls for accountability, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for supplying weapons to the RSF. Senator Bernie Sanders stated on social media that the RSF has “slaughtered countless civilians” with UAE support, and criticized the U.S. for continuing arms sales to the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current state of food security in Umm Baru?
A UNICEF survey found that 53 percent of children under 5 in Umm Baru are acutely malnourished, one of the worst levels ever recorded in a UN emergency hunger assessment.
What role has the conflict played in the crisis?
The crisis is a direct result of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, with North Darfur identified as the “epicentre” of the starvation crisis. The fighting has displaced populations and hindered access to aid.
What has been the impact of the RSF takeover of el-Fasher?
Over 100,000 people fled el-Fasher following the RSF takeover in October, and reports indicate the city has been largely deserted and experienced widespread violence.
As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, what further steps might be taken to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and protect vulnerable populations?
