Recently, the United Nations announced its decision to set up a humanitarian operation center in Central Darfur state. Mr. Toby Harward, the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Coordination in Sudan, shared this update on a social media platform. The choice of Central Darfur as a humanitarian hub was influenced by the intact UN facilities in the state compared to other states, as well as its central location in Darfur Region. Mr. Harward mentioned that warehouses in Nertiti, Golo, and Zalingei remained secure during conflicts, thanks to local authorities’ actions. He emphasized the importance of these facilities for expanding humanitarian aid delivery.
The UN’s announcement coincided with negotiations facilitated by the organization between conflicting parties – the SAF and RSF – concerning humanitarian issues in Geneva in early July. Following these discussions, RSF committed to easing the distribution of humanitarian aid in various Sudanese regions, particularly those under its control. These developments unfolded against the backdrop of a dire humanitarian crisis in Darfur, where the ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF has led to the displacement of millions, causing them to lose their homes, belongings, and basic necessities for survival.
In a July 21, 2024 interview with Darfur24, Mr. Harward shared that reports from the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nur indicated that Jebel Marra, under their control, hosted around 5 million displaced individuals. Harward described the situation in Darfur as catastrophic, stressing the UN’s commitment to negotiating with all parties to secure access – by air or land – to provide food, medicine, and shelter to all affected areas and individuals in need.
Meanwhile, numerous long-standing and newly displaced persons in camps near Nyala, Zalingei, Al Fashir, and Al Daein continue to face the looming threat of famine. This includes thousands of malnourished children, women, and elderly individuals due to the obstruction of humanitarian aid.
The Food Security Situation in the Region:
A collaborative report by WFP, FAO, and UNICEF (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification IFSC) has foreseen a looming acute food crisis across all areas of Darfur due to ongoing conflicts and significant agricultural production deficits.
As per the findings, 5% of the population in Central Darfur is at Stage 5 (disaster or famine), 27% at Stage 4 (emergency), 35% at Stage 3 (crisis), 25% at Stage 2 (stress), with only 8% falling under Stage 1 (food insecurity) as per IFSC guidelines. The study encompassed nearly two million individuals in Central Darfur.
East Darfur Less than 1% of the population were classified at stage 5, 12% at stage 4 (indicating susceptibility to acute food insecurity), 36% at stage 3, and 36% at stage 2, with the remaining 16% at stage 1 of the IFSC. The survey encompassed around 1.8 million individuals in East Darfur.
North In Darfur, the highest percentage was recorded with 6% of the population experiencing a disaster and famine situation. Additionally, 28% are at risk of acute food insecurity, 35% are in a state of food insecurity crisis, 23% are in a stress stage, and 9% are in the first stage according to IFSC. The survey included approximately 2.5 million people.
In South Darfur, 4% of the population is categorized in the fifth stage, 24% in the fourth stage, 36% in the third stage, 25% in the second stage, and just 11% are in the first stage. The survey encompassed over 3.6 million individuals.
In West Darfur, 4% of the population faces the risk of famine, 26% are at risk of acute food insecurity, 35% are experiencing food insecurity, 25% are under food insecurity pressure, and 10% are on the brink of food insecurity. The survey encompassed around 1.3 million individuals.
In a related context, the World Food Programme (WFP) cautioned in May 2024 that chances are closing to address the famine threat in Darfur. The escalating conflicts in Al Fashir are impeding efforts to deliver humanitarian aid. Additionally, authorities in Port Sudan are restricting the transportation of aid through Adré, putting WFP’s crucial aid distribution plans for Darfur at risk. Michael Dunford, the WFP’s Regional Director for East Africa emphasized the significance of securing humanitarian access to Sudan’s conflict zones. He stressed the necessity of using the Adré border crossing to transport aid through Port Sudan to reach those in need across Darfur.
On April 5, 2024, the WFP announced during a press conference the arrival of relief supplies through the Chadian border to Darfur for the first time. Approximately 250,000 individuals experiencing severe hunger are expected to benefit from these deliverie
In Darfur, Malnutrition Crisis:
According to a press release by UNICEF on May 30, 2024, 15.6% of children under five in Central Darfur are severely malnourished, while this number rises to 30% in Zam Zam camp in North Darfur. The situation has deteriorated recently, with no signs of improvement due to the ongoing conflict and limited humanitarian access. Tests by MSF in Zamzam camp in North Darfur in April 2024 revealed that over 33% of pregnant and lactating women are malnourished. The crisis is evident in Zamzam camp, where food distribution by the WFP has been halted since May 2023.
On July 21, 2024, Mr. Toby Harward highlighted in a tweet on his X platform account that 77 children were recently held at the Spanish MSF facility in Rukirro, Central Darfur. The children were suffering from severe malnutrition. He noted a concerning trend of increasing numbers of children in the hospital each week, along with high mortality rates.
UNICEF announced in a press release dated June 27, 2024, that following the conflict outbreak in April 2023, they have conducted nutritional screenings for approximately 5.5 million children and administered life-saving treatment to over 322,000 severely malnourished children in Sudan.
The Nutrition Department of the Ministry of Health in South Darfur reported an uptick in cases of severe malnutrition with health complications among children to Darfur24. Huwaida Abdullah, the director of the state’s Nutrition Department, shared with Darfur24 that in April 2024, Kalma and Gereida camps together documented around 205 cases of malnutrition and 15 fatalities, with eight deaths in Gereida camp and seven in Kalma camp. Additionally, Center 6 in Kalma IDP camp recorded 34 malnutrition cases among children in January, 30 cases with medical complications in February, 64 cases in March, and 130 cases in April 2024. In Gereida locality, there were 18 cases of child malnutrition in January, 37 in February, 40 in March, and 60 in April 2024. This surge in child malnutrition is described as alarming.
HUNGER AS A TOOL OF CONFLICT:
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance – OCHA, highlighted that bureaucratic processes carried out by SAF, RSF, and the SLA/M have obstructed the distribution of humanitarian aid, particularly in Darfur. This has been identified as a violation where hunger is deliberately employed as a weapon against civilians by the groups involved.
The report’s data reveals a stark reality – over 11 million individuals in Darfur require food assistance, emphasizing how both conflicting factions are resorting to hunger as a tactic against civilians.