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Famine Conditions Escalate in Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict
Recent evaluations by a group of independent food security experts have revealed a deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly affecting the Zamzam camp, which houses around 500,000 displaced individuals near the besieged city of el-Fasher in Darfur. The findings indicate that the camp has descended into famine due to the prolonged civil war and restrictions placed on humanitarian aid.
The Famine Review Committee (FRC), which analyzed up-to-date information, has attributed the severe food shortages at the Zamzam camp to the 16-month conflict primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The FRC highlighted the profound and harrowing impact of escalating violence, noting the significant influx of residents to the camp since April.
This ongoing conflict, characterized as a struggle for power, has resulted in what is now recognized as the largest humanitarian crisis worldwide, displacing approximately 10 million people. Plans for US-mediated negotiations are set to commence in two weeks, though their success remains uncertain. While the RSF has expressed readiness to attend the talks in Geneva, the participation of the military remains doubtful following an alleged assassination attempt on their leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The FRC pointed out that the core reasons behind the famine in Zamzam are conflict and the restricted access for humanitarian assistance. The committee stressed that these issues could be addressed promptly with adequate political commitment. The FRC is associated with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative aimed at identifying food crises, and based its findings on two reports.
Further insights from the Fews Net report suggest that famine conditions might also be present in the other camps around el-Fasher, namely Abu Shouk and Al Salam, although the evidence remains inconclusive. To be classified as experiencing famine, at least 20% of households in a region must face extreme food shortages, while additional metrics include significant levels of acute malnutrition among children and a notable death rate due to starvation and related diseases.
As the RSF continues its efforts to seize control of el-Fasher, which is presently the only city in western Darfur still under government control, the situation remains critical. The FRC estimates that nearly 320,000 individuals have fled the city, with a substantial portion seeking refuge in Zamzam camp, which was overwhelmed in May as people sought safety and basic necessities.
Human rights proponents have warned of a potentially escalating crisis, noting that civilians in el-Fasher are increasingly targeted based on their ethnic backgrounds. Concerns have been raised about the risk of genocide echoing past ethnic cleansing acts in the region.
In Zamzam camp, economic conditions are dire; the main market operates sporadically, and prices for essential commodities have surged dramatically. The FRC’s report detailed alarming increases—63% for cooking oil, 190% for sugar, and 75% for rice—resulting from the ongoing conflict and supply disruptions. Conditions during June and July were dire, with predictions of famine persisting until the harvest season in October. However, prospects for recovery appear bleak as ongoing hostilities are hindering agricultural efforts.
Experts alarmingly suggest that the current situation in el-Fasher and the surrounding camps might only represent the initial signs of a much larger crisis. Barrett Alexander from Mercy Corps indicated that historical patterns show that significant mortality often occurs prior to official famine declarations, highlighting the urgency of intervention.
Moreover, assessments in Central and South Darfur have revealed high malnutrition rates among children, with Mercy Corps citing nine out of ten children facing life-threatening conditions. The lack of effective humanitarian aid has raised severe concerns, as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports growing difficulties in delivering necessary supplies to the region. MSF’s emergency head, Stéphane Doyon, expressed frustration over a persisting blockade preventing vital resources from reaching those in need.
The conflict has complicated aid operations, with both sides accused of obstructing and stealing from humanitarian efforts, although both factions deny such claims. MSF has managed to send humanitarian convoys, which include therapeutic food and medical supplies for children, but the deliveries have faced significant delays. The situation remains further exacerbated by violent incidents; for instance, a recent shelling at the Saudi Hospital resulted in casualties among medical personnel, raising questions about the protection of healthcare facilities amidst the unrest.
As the crisis evolves, the international community and humanitarian agencies continue to call for urgent action to alleviate the plight of those affected and to ensure that aid can be delivered without interference.
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