UN warns of nutrition crisis for women and children in Sudan

UN issues urgent Warning: nutrition crisis endangers women and children in Sudan

Photo : Reuters

United Nations aid agencies are raising alarms about a looming malnutrition crisis threatening an entire generation of children in conflict-ridden Sudan. Without immediate intervention, these children face severe risks of malnutrition, disease, and death.

According to UNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), the situation is dire, exacerbated by limited access to nutritious food, safe drinking water, and adequate sanitation, coupled with an increased risk of disease.

These challenges have been intensified by the ongoing 13-month war between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has displaced an estimated 9 million Sudanese from their homes. However, insecurity and excessive bureaucracy hinder aid agencies from delivering essential supplies.

“Mothers and children across Sudan are wasting away from malnutrition. The ongoing war has stripped them of everything they need to survive – food, medical support, and shelter. We need immediate and safe access to deliver the humanitarian assistance that they so desperately need. Without it, this crisis risks becoming the world’s largest hunger emergency,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain in a statement this week.

In certain parts of Sudan, child malnutrition has reached emergency levels. Approximately 15.6% of children under age five suffer from acute malnutrition in Central Darfur, with figures reaching around 30% in ZamZam camp in North Darfur.

The statement also highlights the vicious cycle of malnourishment and disease. Sick children become more malnourished, and malnutrition, in turn, increases their susceptibility to illness. Even for those who recover in the short term, malnutrition can have long-lasting impacts on their physical and cognitive development.

“Malnutrition is not a one-time crisis. Malnourished children face a lifetime of developmental challenges and ill-health and are also more likely to die from infectious diseases,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The situation is especially concerning for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), over 33% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in the ZamZam camp are malnourished. These women often prioritize feeding their children over themselves, endangering both their own health and the health of their unborn children, with as much as 30% of malnutrition beginning in utero.

The agencies point out that due to the conflict, there are still significant data gaps in the U.N.'s recent analysis, indicating a minimal humanitarian presence in some areas of the country. They warn that the impending rainy season, starting in June, will further isolate communities and promote the spread of disease. Additionally, the lean season between harvests, when food supplies dwindle, is approaching, compounding the crisis.