Thirteen children are losing their lives each day due to severe malnutrition at the Zamzam camp in Sudan's northern Darfur, a consequence of the ongoing 10-month war in the country, according to a medical charity. The situation has prompted calls for a cease-fire agreement and strengthened relief efforts to prevent further casualties and a potential increase in the number of Sudanese refugees seeking safety in Europe.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has revealed that one child dies every two hours in the Zamzam camp, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Claire Nicolet, head of emergency response in Sudan for MSF, warns that children who are severely malnourished and have not yet perished are at high risk of dying within three to six weeks if they do not receive treatment.
Originally formed in 2003 by those fleeing ethnically targeted violence in the region, Zamzam camp is now home to over 300,000 people. However, since the outbreak of the war between Sudan's military and paramilitary forces in April 2023, the camp residents have been cut off from crucial humanitarian aid and medical care, as U.N. agencies and international relief organizations evacuated North Darfur after the conflict started and have maintained only a limited presence since then.
The absence of essential support has resulted in a severe food crisis in the camp, with no food distributions from the World Food Program since May. As a result, people are going hungry, and children are losing their lives due to malnutrition, states Nicolet.
In response, MSF has committed to expanding its assistance at the Zamzam camp to provide critical treatment to children in the most dire condition. However, the scale of the disaster requires a much broader response than what MSF alone can provide. Urgent action is needed from international organizations and governments to address the crisis effectively.
Moreover, if the situation does not improve and relief efforts are not strengthened, there may be a rise in the number of Sudanese refugees seeking to reach Europe, warns Filippo Grandi, the head of the U.N. refugee agency. Highlighting the potential consequences, Grandi explains that without adequate support, refugees may be compelled to attempt a perilous journey across the Mediterranean, endangering their lives and adding to the pressures already faced by European countries.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in over 9 million internally displaced persons and 1.5 million refugees fleeing to neighboring countries over the past 10 months. The clashes between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, began in Khartoum and quickly spread across the nation.
Grandi emphasizes that neighboring countries such as Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, all dealing with their own challenges, will be unable to offer adequate assistance to the increasing number of refugees. He also warns that if refugees do not receive sufficient aid, they may seek refuge in northern countries like Tunisia, where some have already expressed their intent to cross into Europe.
The complex war in Sudan continues to escalate, with various militias now controlling different areas. This fragmentation has led to greater risks for civilians, as militias have displayed less hesitation in perpetrating abuses. If the conflict intensifies further, more displacements and humanitarian crises are expected.
While global attention is focused on ongoing conflicts in places like Ukraine and Gaza, Grandi urges that crises such as Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan, and Myanmar should not be overlooked. It is crucial to allocate resources and attention to these areas to prevent further suffering and loss of lives.
Efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan have been ongoing, with African regional partners, Saudi Arabia, and the United States participating in mediating discussions. However, the two main figures in the conflict, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have yet to meet in person since the war began.
The United Nations estimates that at least 12,000 people have already lost their lives in Sudan's conflict, though local doctors' groups believe the actual death toll is significantly higher. Both sides of the conflict have been accused of committing war crimes by human rights organizations.
It is now crucial for the international community to act swiftly and decisively to bring an end to the conflict, provide the necessary aid and support to those affected, and work towards a lasting peace in Sudan.
