Urgent action needed in Sudan as IPC report confirms catastrophic hunger crisis
24 December 2024A new report from IPC shows that Sudan remains on the brink of a catastrophic hunger crisis with children suffering the most.
Angham, 14, and her brothers have been displaced by the violence in Sudan and are now struggling to survive.
638,000 people are reported to be at imminent risk of starvation (IPC phase 5) in Sudan, while 5 parts of the country in North Darfur and the Western Nuba mountains face famine conditions.
This is according to a new report released today (Dec 24) by the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) – a UN backed initiative that monitors the severity and magnitude of hunger crises.
The report shows that looking ahead to May 2025, famine could reach another 5 areas in North Darfur.
Children don’t know where their next meal will come from
Mohammed Qazilbash, Sudan Country Director for Plan International said: “There is no doubt that Sudan remains on the brink of a catastrophic hunger crisis. Whether an official famine designation is reached or not, the bottom line is that children are dying because they don’t have access to enough food, and many thousands of families don’t know where their next meal will come from. No conflict should ever come to this.
“As is so often the case during conflict, it is the children of Sudan who are suffering the most right now.”
Mohammed Qazilbash, Sudan Country Director for Plan International
“The time for words has passed. As is so often the case during conflict, it is the children of Sudan who are suffering the most right now. Millions have fled their homes after witnessing the most unimaginable violence, and many are now facing the horrors of starvation. For every life lost to hunger, countless more have been devastated as families resort to desperate measures to survive, placing children at risk of violence and exploitation.
“Families are in desperate need of assistance, yet restrictions on access are critically hindering our efforts to reach them. In the Zamzam camp of North Darfur, only 2 humanitarian convoys have been able to distribute food since April 2024. Impossible decisions are being made every day across Sudan on who gets aid and who does not. This is the reality our teams face.
Sudan needs immediate ceasefire and international support
“The children of Sudan need action now – there is time to save lives if we act swiftly. The international community must push for an immediate ceasefire and significantly increase funding for humanitarian assistance. We also call on all parties to the conflict to end the aid blockages that are preventing life-saving food and supplies from reaching millions, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas such as Darfur.
“As much of the world marks the holiday season, for millions of children from Sudan, there is little to celebrate. Sudan’s children deserve better – lives are at stake and there can be no further delays.”
Categories: Emergencies
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