Children Starving in Darfur Refugee Camp

Famine has been officially declared in the Zamzam displacement camp located in El Fasher, Sudan, as confirmed by the UN-backed Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net). The organization reported evidence of starvation-related deaths in the camp, with indications that similar conditions may exist in the nearby Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps. Fews Net only issues famine declarations after verifying extreme mortality rates, which have reportedly persisted in Zamzam for the past two months. The city of El Fasher has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for several months, as they attempt to seize control from the Sudanese army. This conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to a significant increase in the population of displacement camps, which were originally established following the genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s. The ongoing violence has severely restricted food transport and agricultural activities, leaving the population without access to essential supplies. According to Fews Net, the cost of staple grains has surged to 180% above the three-year average, compounding the dire situation. Lark Walters, a decision support adviser at Fews Net, emphasized the urgent need for large-scale humanitarian assistance to alleviate the extreme suffering faced by the population. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that the RSF is obstructing the delivery of medical supplies and food to El Fasher, with supplies dwindling dangerously low. Stéphane Doyon, head of MSF’s emergency response in Sudan, warned that without immediate intervention, many children in the area are at imminent risk of death due to malnutrition.