UN warns of deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, cites famine, disease

March 17, 2025 (UNITED NATIONS) – The United Nations warned on Monday of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, citing a deepening famine, widespread malnutrition, and increasing disease outbreaks amid ongoing fighting and severe aid restrictions.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the siege on Zamzam camp, outside El Fasher in North Darfur, was exacerbating the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians. Food shortages have become more severe during Ramadan, with prices of essential goods soaring beyond the reach of most families, OCHA said.

“The UN’s partners on the ground report signs of growing hunger,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told a news briefing. He added that armed attacks continue along the route between Zamzam and El Fasher, with casualties and injuries reported. There are also growing concerns about improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside the camp, a partner at Zamzam warned.

Despite access challenges, humanitarian teams provide food, water, and medical care, but the needs far outstrip resources. Funding cuts and the withdrawal of most aid organizations due to insecurity have worsened the situation. The World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners suspended operations in Zamzam last month.

OCHA also expressed concern about deteriorating conditions in parts of Khartoum State. Local volunteer aid workers in the Sharque Al Nil district report severe malnutrition and critical medicine shortages. Malnutrition is widespread among children and pregnant women, particularly in the East Al Haj Youssif neighbourhood, where a lack of food is a major problem due to the closure of most community kitchens, the volunteers said.

Two weeks ago, front-line aid workers recorded more than 800 cases of severe child malnutrition, with numbers continuing to rise, according to OCHA. Cases of anaemia, hepatitis, night blindness, and malaria are also increasing due to a critical shortage of medicines in the few remaining functional health facilities.

“The scale of suffering in Sudan is staggering, and without swift intervention, the consequences will be devastating for millions,” Haq said.

The UN reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver life-saving aid.