Darfur displacement camps face catastrophic famine, local group warns

August 7, 2024 (EL FASHER) – The humanitarian situation in Darfur’s displacement and refugee camps has reached a catastrophic level, with famine looming as families struggle to find even a single meal a day, according to the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugee Camps.

The region, already scarred by decades of conflict, is now facing famine conditions exacerbated by the ongoing war between the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has disrupted livelihoods, halted aid deliveries, and caused widespread destruction. Soaring food prices and the failure of the agricultural season have left families struggling to survive.

Adam Regal, spokesperson for the coordination group, described the situation as “extremely dire and miserable,” with most families unable to secure even one meal a day. “The current humanitarian conditions…can be described as famine,” he stated.

Heavy rains and flooding have further compounded the suffering, particularly for those living in makeshift shelters. Lack of basic necessities like tents and mosquito nets has led to the spread of diseases, especially among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

The coordination group is urgently calling on the international community to take immediate action. They demand the opening of all border crossings and entry points to Darfur for the delivery of food and medicine, including through airdrops and the lifeline crossing.

“We demand the UN Security Council, the United Nations, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Troika countries, and Sudan’s neighbouring countries to pressure both parties to the conflict to open all crossings and corridors for the passage of humanitarian aid,” Regal stated.

The group is also pleading for humanitarian organizations to provide essential aid such as food, medicine, clean water, shelter materials, and psychological support to victims of gender-based violence.

The situation in Darfur’s camps is a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of conflict. The international community must act swiftly to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.