The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised serious concerns over the worsening health and food crisis in Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war for over two years.
Millions of internally displaced persons across Sudan are grappling with severe food insecurity and a rapidly spreading cholera outbreak.
In North Darfur, one of the hardest-hit regions, the town of Tawila has reported over 1,500 suspected and confirmed cases since June, with some 500 patients currently receiving treatment.
In response, local authorities have imposed emergency measures, including market closures and a ban on public gatherings.
According to the UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, “nearly 60 per cent of displaced families still lack adequate shelter despite ongoing assistance from the UN and its humanitarian partners.
In Abu Shouk camp, located in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, four people reportedly died from hunger last week.
Prolonged grain shortages, poor harvests and a dwindling food supply have pushed food prices to record highs. In May, the average cost of a basic food basket in El Fasher was over six times the national average.
OCHA says it needs $120 million over the next three months to scale up humanitarian operations in Tawila—funds considered vital to contain the outbreak and sustain basic services.
Meanwhile, in Port Sudan, the country’s main entry point for humanitarian staff and supplies, extreme heat and prolonged power outages have led to a rise in heatstroke cases, with one death reported in the last two days.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has identified famine conditions in several parts of North Darfur and eastern Nuba Mountains. The situation is expected to deteriorate further during the
lean season, from July to October, especially in conflict zones where humanitarian access remains restricted.
ODL/ac/sf/lb/gik/APA