Khartoum (Dawan Africa) - Parts of Sudan are experiencing famine, with diseases continuing to spread. More than 770,000 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, while cholera has affected over 105,000 people, causing 2,600 deaths. In the city of El-Fasher, which has been under siege for more than 500 days, hunger and gunfire are threatening the lives of civilians. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe, yet the fighting continues.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus warned on Saturday that Sudan is facing a severe hunger crisis, with famine conditions confirmed in several areas. He noted that WHO is supporting 142 treatment centers, which have so far helped more than 20,000 severely malnourished children.
Tedros also stated that the cholera outbreak has spread across all 18 states of Sudan, with over 105,000 reported cases and 2,600 deaths. The situation is especially critical in North Darfur, particularly in El-Fasher, which has been under siege for over 500 days. He called for the immediate opening of safe humanitarian access to meet urgent health needs and save lives.
The warning comes as fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to devastate the country, especially in El-Fasher, the humanitarian hub for all five Darfur states. Local reports indicate that RSF artillery strikes have killed 18 civilians and injured more than 100 others.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently described Sudan as facing “the world’s largest hunger crisis,” with aid deliveries severely restricted due to insecurity and access challenges. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in massive deaths and the displacement of millions.