Conflict and famine meet amid the world’s largest child displacement crisis.
Famine was confirmed in Sudan’s North Darfur Region on 1 August 2024.
After more than 15 months of war in Sudan, a catastrophic combination of conflict, natural disaster, displacement and humanitarian access constraints has resulted in a man-made famine in a camp sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Sudan’s North Darfur Region.
The confirmation of famine is a rare, catastrophic event. At least 30% of children under five-years-old are suffering from wasting or acute malnutrition. People, including children have already started dying of hunger and related conditions including malnutrition and infection.
An estimated 730,000 children are projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition this year across Sudan.
UNICEF continues to call on all parties to guarantee safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. Our teams remain on the ground providing life-saving support and expanding nutrition partnerships with local organisations, but we can’t do it alone.
The brutal war in Sudan has resulted in the largest current child displacement crisis in the world. Yet, even before this latest surge in conflict and famine confirmation, humanitarian needs across Sudan had reached record levels.
Devastatingly, over 13.6 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance. Embroiled in an ongoing conflict, this latest crisis occurs amidst compounding challenges, including increased disease outbreaks, widespread malnutrition, water scarcity, climate-related disasters, and an education crisis.
Now is not the time to look away. Sudan's children need us more than ever.
Philanthropy: Sudan Emergency
Humanitarian needs across Sudan have reached record levels. Sudan's children need us more than ever.
Two months ago, six-month-old Baraa was unwell and weak. He was severely malnourished with a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) reading of 9.5sm and in the red zone.
“I was very scared that Baraa was going to die. He was so sick and malnourished,” said Manahil, his mother.
At a UNICEF-supported hospital, Baraa was admitted and enrolled in a nutrition program for care and treatment. He was also provided with the nutritious ready-to-use-therapeutic food (RUTF), a paste rich in minerals and vitamins. Two months later, Baraa has gained 3 kilograms.
“Baraa’s weight and health have improved after eating RUTF. He loves it. When I give it to him the meal, he eats right away,” Manahil continued. “My dream is to see Baraa growing up healthy and becoming a doctor or teacher in future.”
As the war in Sudan continues, millions of children are falling into malnutrition. UNICEF, together with partners, has expanded its nutrition response to 152 localities across Sudan, and will continue to scale up our urgent response. But we can’t do this alone.
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Philanthropy: Sudan Emergency
Humanitarian needs across Sudan have reached record levels. Sudan's children need us more than ever.