UN warns of famine threatening half of Sudan's population

CAIRO - 12 March 2025: "The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with ongoing and escalating violence, particularly in North Darfur State, forcing 23,000 people to flee their villages in the Dar Al Salam locality, located more than 60 kilometers south of the state capital, El Fasher, according to UN media.

Clementine Nkweta Salami, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in Sudan, expressed her concern about the spread of famine, which is causing more than half of the population to suffer from hunger. This is in addition to the outbreak of diseases that have deepened the humanitarian crisis in the country, amidst comprehensive funding cuts and suspensions recently announced by major government donors, while humanitarian needs are increasing.

Nkweta Salami urged key government donors to reconsider their decisions to reduce funding for life-saving programs that assist distressed people, and we urge others to step up efforts to help fill the gaps left by these devastating cuts.

According to Stéphane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, in White Nile State, a cholera outbreak in the Kosti area has infected hundreds of people and claimed the lives of 94 people between February 20 and March 5. The outbreak is linked to people drawing water from contaminated sources, particularly the White Nile River, after power outages disrupted the city's water supply last month.

The UN spokesperson also noted that in Kassala State, eastern Sudan, hepatitis is spreading among displaced communities living in overcrowded assembly sites. The outbreak is again attributed to poor sanitation, lack of hygiene, and limited health awareness, exposing already vulnerable people to further risks. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned that more than 290,000 children are at risk of contracting diseases.

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan stressed the urgent need to address the catastrophic impact of the ongoing conflict in the country on women and girls in Sudan, with ongoing reports of sexual violence, and stressed the need to provide immediate and sustainable humanitarian assistance to displaced women and children, including food, medical care, and safe shelter.

The Fact-Finding Mission pointed out that the vast majority of internally displaced persons and refugees are women and children, many of whom face severe hunger, lack of health care, and the constant threat of exploitation. It said that economic losses due to the conflict have led to the marginalization of women, depriving them of financial independence and livelihoods."