Children Already Dying in Sudan’s Stricken Zamzam Camp: WFP Warns of Catastrophic Situation
2025-02-28 12:00 (Peace and Security) – The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning, reporting that children are already dying from malnutrition and disease in Zamzam camp, a sprawling displacement camp in North Darfur, Sudan. The organization paints a grim picture of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation exacerbated by ongoing conflict, widespread displacement, and a collapsing healthcare system.
The Zamzam camp, already overcrowded with internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing violence in other parts of Darfur, has seen a dramatic surge in its population over the past year. Escalating clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have pushed hundreds of thousands more to seek refuge in the already overwhelmed camp. Resources are stretched thin, and access to clean water, food, and medical care is critically limited.
“The situation in Zamzam is nothing short of catastrophic,” a WFP spokesperson, speaking from Nairobi, told Peace and Security. “Our teams on the ground are witnessing unimaginable suffering. We are seeing severe acute malnutrition rates among children reach alarming levels, and the reality is, children are dying from preventable causes. This is a race against time to prevent a complete collapse.”
The WFP reports that initial assessments conducted in the camp show alarming rates of malnutrition among children under five. Specific data released by the WFP indicates that rates of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are exceeding emergency thresholds. The prolonged conflict has disrupted agricultural production, supply chains, and market functionality, leading to soaring food prices and widespread food insecurity.
Beyond food scarcity, the lack of clean water and sanitation facilities is contributing significantly to the spread of disease. Outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, such as cholera and dysentery, are rampant, further weakening already vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly. The already strained healthcare system in North Darfur has been decimated by the ongoing conflict, leaving limited resources to cope with the escalating health crisis. Many medical professionals have fled the region, and remaining facilities are struggling with shortages of essential medicines and supplies.
The WFP is urgently appealing to the international community to ramp up humanitarian assistance to Sudan. The organization highlights the critical need for:
- Increased Food Aid: Significant and immediate increases in food assistance are required to address the widespread hunger and malnutrition. This includes providing ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for malnourished children.
- Improved Access: Unimpeded humanitarian access to Zamzam and other affected areas is paramount. The WFP is calling on all parties to the conflict to guarantee safe passage for aid workers and supplies.
- Enhanced Water and Sanitation: Urgent interventions are needed to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of disease. This includes the provision of water purification tablets, the construction of latrines, and hygiene promotion activities.
- Reinforced Healthcare System: Efforts are needed to strengthen the healthcare system by providing essential medicines and supplies, supporting the training of healthcare workers, and establishing mobile health clinics.
- Funding: The WFP is severely underfunded, and the organization is urgently appealing for increased financial contributions from donor countries.
The crisis in Zamzam reflects a broader humanitarian catastrophe unfolding across Sudan. Millions have been displaced by the ongoing conflict, and the country is teetering on the brink of famine. The WFP warns that without immediate and decisive action, the situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to even greater loss of life.
“We are facing a perfect storm of conflict, displacement, and climate change,” the WFP spokesperson emphasized. “The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering in Sudan. We must act now to save lives and prevent a complete humanitarian disaster.”
The international community faces a critical juncture. The urgent and coordinated delivery of humanitarian aid is essential to mitigate the suffering in Zamzam and prevent further loss of life. Failure to act decisively will have devastating consequences for the people of Sudan, especially the most vulnerable children. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the fate of millions in the region.
Children already dying in Sudan’s stricken Zamzam camp: WFP
The AI has provided us with the news.
I asked Google Gemini the following question.
Peace and Security a new article on 2025-02-28 12:00 titled “Children already dying in Sudan’s stricken Zamzam camp: WFP”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
262