Malnutrition crisis deepens among children in war-torn Sudan
December 28, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Malnutrition rates among Sudanese children have reached alarming levels, particularly in the conflict-ridden region of North Darfur, Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said on Saturday.
Speaking at a Ministry of Culture and Information briefing, Ibrahim said malnutrition had reached 15% in 24 localities across the country while soaring to 30% in areas of North Darfur currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in a protracted conflict with the Sudanese army. He specifically cited the localities of Tawila, Um Kadada, and Al-Laeit.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 3.7 million children in Sudan will face acute malnutrition this year, with many unable to access life-saving treatment.
“The rise in malnutrition cases is linked not only to food insecurity but also to the spread of childhood diseases, lack of access to clean water, and inadequate nutrition,” Ibrahim explained. He highlighted that children in affected areas also suffer from a severe lack of access to vaccinations, essential food supplies, and basic healthcare services.
Ibrahim announced that the Health Ministry, in collaboration with UN agencies, is developing a $471 million plan to address the malnutrition crisis. He confirmed the existence of 2,249 therapeutic feeding centres across the country.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April, has severely exacerbated food insecurity in Sudan. According to humanitarian assessments, an estimated 24.6 million people are projected to face severe hunger between December and May. Some aid organizations expect 30 million people will require humanitarian assistance as the conflict has destroyed livelihoods in both rural and urban areas.
The health minister detailed the devastating impact of the conflict on the nation’s healthcare system, estimating losses at $11 billion, representing 22% of the total damage to the service sector. He said that 250 hospitals had been destroyed and looted by the RSF, and all tumour treatment centres, except for one in the city of Merowe in Northern State, have been disrupted. He further reported that 4,000 out of 7,000 kidney disease patients have died due to lack of access to treatment.
Ibrahim stated that 12,000 deaths have been recorded in hospitals since the conflict began, along with 33,000 serious injuries. Health facilities have reported 306 cases of rape, he added. He also noted the deaths of 870 pregnant women due to the lack of healthcare services in RSF-controlled areas.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted in mid-April 2023 over a planned transition to civilian rule, displacing millions and triggering a humanitarian catastrophe. Efforts to mediate between the warring parties have so far been unsuccessful.