Port Sudan- August 2024- The humanitarian situation in Sudan is at “a catastrophic breaking point” according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The stark warning comes as famine and floods add to the catalogue of challenges facing millions of people struggling to cope in the world’s largest displacement crisis following 16 months of brutal conflict.
Within the past week, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC) reported famine conditions in Zamzam camp near Al Fasher town in North Darfur – home to half a million displaced people. The camp is witnessing extreme food scarcity, resulting in rocketing rates of malnutrition and death. Almost all internally displaced persons across Sudan (97 per cent) are in localities with acute levels of food insecurity or worse.
New figures show displacement continues to soar, with over 10.7 million people seeking safety within the country, many displaced twice or more. Fighting in Sennar state last month displaced over 700,000 people, with 63 percent originally from other states, mainly Khartoum.
“Make no mistake, these conditions will persist and worsen if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian access continue”, said Othman Belbeisi, IOM’s Regional Director for Middle East North Africa.
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“Without an immediate, massive, and coordinated global response, we risk witnessing tens of thousands of preventable deaths in the coming months. We are at breaking point, a catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point.”
Over the next three months, an estimated 25.6 million people will face acute food insecurity as the conflict spreads and coping mechanisms are exhausted. Moreover, The FRC has already warned that many other areas throughout Sudan remain at risk of famine.
Urgent funding must be provided to scale up the response and reach those still in desperate need of food, shelter, water, health services, and specialized protection.
