IPC reports famine conditions in parts of Sudan

Responding to the UN-backed IPC’s latest famine review on Sudan, which has found that conflict has pushed parts of North Darfur – notably the Zamzam camp near El Fasher town into famine conditions, Mohammed Qazilbash, Sudan Country Director for Plan International says: “It is absolutely devastating, although not surprising, that famine conditions have been found in North Darfur. The IPC’s latest report confirms what we and our fellow humanitarians have feared for months: that children in Sudan, having endured more than a year of harrowing conflict, are now dying of hunger.

“As a direct result of fighting in El Fasher, the population of Zamzam camp has swollen to half a million people in just a few weeks. Children have fled their homes after witnessing the most unimaginable violence, death and destruction, and having endured this trauma, are now facing starvation.

“To hear that families and especially children are now facing the worst form of hunger is devastating, especially since the failure to provide safe and unimpeded access to communities has left humanitarian organisations with our hands tied. Restrictions on humanitarian access continue to critically hinder our efforts to reach families in desperate need of assistance. It means that no food assistance has been distributed in the Zamzam camp since April 2024 – and families are paying the ultimate price.

“This situation was entirely preventable, and the international community must not waste another moment. With the lean season underway, without urgent action, the number of children and families facing starvation will only grow. A significant escalation in humanitarian aid, including unimpeded access to children, their families and communities, is needed now. We also urgently need access to other camps and locations to truly understand the scale of need and provide lifesaving assistance before it is too late.”