The Humanitarian Crisis in South Darfur: A Call for Action
In the heart of Sudan, the ongoing conflict is wreaking havoc on health systems and has severely compromised food security. This grim scenario has left millions teetering on the brink, particularly in conflict-stricken regions like South Darfur. Amidst this turmoil, internally displaced persons (IDPs), struggling to secure fundamental necessities, continue to face the starkest challenges.
Children under five and mothers, both expecting and nursing, stand out as the most vulnerable. In 2024, over 7,200 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women from Nyala and neighboring communities were treated for severe malnutrition in MSF’s outpatient feeding programs. Their access to nutritious food is scant, putting them at risk of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
Why is there such a scarcity of humanitarian intervention? The response by UN agencies remains dishearteningly limited, out of sync with the pressing needs in South Darfur and across Sudan. This shortfall in resources inevitably leads to significant gaps in crucial life-saving services, most notably malnutrition treatments. Though MSF has initiated emergency nutritional programs in some of the most affected areas, our teams are stretched thin trying to amplify and sustain these efforts.
December marked the start of a new initiative, as MSF began distributing food parcels to families enrolled in our malnutrition treatment programs. The aim was simple yet profound: to provide short-term relief amidst Africa’s deteriorating economic landscape. South Darfur’s communities, plagued by violence and rampant displacement, face unthinkable conditions. Women, often left to fend for large families, are cut off from income and support networks, with few options to meet even their most basic needs.
“To prevent the division of a child’s therapeutic food among hungry relatives, we offer a two-month family ration,” shared Hunter McGovern, MSF’s Targeted Food Distribution Project Coordinator in South Darfur. “This ensures the child completes their nutrition therapy and improves the entire family’s nutritional status. Even so, the needs are overwhelming.”
MSF provides daily food rations of 2,000 calories per person for an average family of five, spanning two months. This endeavor helps the entire family receive adequate food, thus supporting the recovery of malnourished children to a healthy weight.
Interestingly, during distributions, we found that family sizes often exceeded expectations—sometimes reaching ten people under one roof. This reality highlights the severe food shortages and emphasizes how much more assistance is necessary. When relatives hear about food aid, they journey across distances underscoring the dire nutrition crisis on the ground.
The Need for a Stronger Humanitarian Response
MSF remains unwavering in its commitment to addressing the urgent nutritional needs in South Darfur. The crisis’s scope is vast, overshadowing the limited resources of organizations tackling the malnutrition crisis. With the rainy season and hunger gap looming, access to food and humanitarian supplies becomes even more challenging.
Pre-positioning supplies is crucial now, before communities are isolated. Local responders require funding and support to expand feeding programs in their communities. Although operating food distributions and enhancing therapeutic feeding programs in South Darfur pose challenges, it is feasible—and vital. These efforts can prevent unnecessary suffering and loss of life.
As food security declines and malnutrition rises, immediate action is paramount to scale up humanitarian aid, ensuring children and families receive necessary support. Without collective effort, the crisis will deepen, casting countless lives into jeopardy.
Source: MSF
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
