Sudan Humanitarian Update (1 November 2024) [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS

• Acute malnutrition rates remain above the famine threshold in Zamzam IDP camp, North Darfur State.

• Cholera continues to spread across the country reaching about 28,400 cases, including 836 related deaths, in 11 states in less than four months.

• The international community is alarmed about the protection of civilians and displacement in eastern Aj Jazirah State as 119,400 people flee their homes.

• Humanitarian partners continue to scale up response across the country and reached 12.6 million people with some form of assistance.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Update

Access restrictions exacerbate famine conditions in Zamzam IDP camp

The blockade and escalating fighting in Al Fasher, North Darfur State, have delayed or prevented the delivery of commercial and humanitarian supplies to areas of acute need. The latest data collected by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirms that acute malnutrition rates remain above the Famine (IPC Phase 5) threshold in Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. Famine conditions were confirmed in Zamzam camp in August. While data remains limited for nearby Abu Shouk and Al Salam IDP camps near Al Fasher, information from the field suggests significant civilian movement away from these camps and towards Zamzam, driven by the heavy fighting, for safety and access to services in the camp. However, on 10 October, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was forced to stop outpatient treatment for 5,000 children with acute malnutrition in Zamzam IDP camp because reportedly for months the parties to the conflict had blocked the delivery of food, medicines, and other essential supplies, according to MSF.

Meanwhile, based on new information under review, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is increasingly alarmed that similar extreme acute food insecurity outcomes are occurring among IDPs in the besieged areas of Dilling and possibly Kadugli in South Kordofan State.

Extreme food insecurity extends into the pre-harvest period

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deteriorate as the lean season ends and the pre-harvest period begins amid increasing hostilities, soaring prices, and devastation caused by heavy rains and floods, reports FEWS Net in its latest alert update. Availability of food usually improves after the lean season in Sudan, which typically ends by September. However, early indications show marginal improvement in food security as historic flooding destroyed crops while ongoing conflict made it difficult for farmers to plant, cultivate and harvest. An updated food security analysis is currently ongoing to revise the projection for the harvest season. Nearly 26 million were projected to be in acute hunger with 755,000 people facing catastrophic hunger conditions (IPC5).