Child malnutrition – ‘Sudan risks a lost generation’, UN agencies warn

Sudan’s children are trapped in a critical malnutrition crisis that has “reached emergency levels.” Three United Nations agencies have issued a stark warning that all indications point to a significant deterioration of the nutrition situation for children and mothers in war-torn Sudan. “The lives of Sudan’s children are at stake and urgent action is needed to protect an entire generation from malnutrition, disease, and death,” the UN agencies warn.

A joint statement yesterday, following recent analysis by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO) states that the ongoing hostilities are worsening the drivers of child malnutrition. These include a lack of access to nutritious food, safe drinking water and sanitation, and increased risk of disease. The situation is compounded by massive population displacement, as large numbers of people flee the conflict. Sudan is facing an ever-increasing risk of conflict-induced famine that will have catastrophic consequences including the loss of life, especially among young children.

The UN agencies also highlight that the year-long war is also severely impacting the delivery of humanitarian supplies, leaving countless women and children without access to vital food and nutritional support. The agencies have been struggling to deliver nutrition products as growing violence and bureaucratic procedures impede access to conflict affected areas, they say.

As reported by Radio Dabanga this week, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirmed the death of a social welfare officer from the Dar El Salam Branch of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), the fourth SRCS volunteer killed in the line of duty over the last two months, and the second in just two days, bringing the global toll of Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers killed in the line of duty this year to 22.

‘Sudan risks a lost generation, with grave implications for the country’s future… ‘ – UN agencies

The UN agencies lament that child malnutrition in Sudan is at emergency levels. “In Central Darfur, acute malnutrition is estimated to be at 15.6 per cent among children under five, while in Zamzam camp it’s close to 30 per cent. The situation has deteriorated over recent months, with no sign of abating due to continued conflict and severely hindered humanitarian access. Acute malnutrition is life-threatening, with malnourished children up to 11 times more likely to die than a well-nourished child. Malnutrition and disease reinforce each other, with sick children becoming more easily malnourished and malnourished children becoming sick more easily, and suffering worse outcomes. Even when children recover, malnutrition can have lifelong effects on physical and cognitive development. Sudan risks a lost generation, with grave implications for the country’s future.

‘As much as 30 per cent of child malnutrition begins in utero, so children born to malnourished mothers are likely to be already malnourished themselves…’ – UN agencies

Levels of malnutrition are particularly worrying among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. For example, screening carried out last month by Medecins Sans Frontieres in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, found over 33 per cent of pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, indicating that they are likely sacrificing their own needs to feed their children. This situation poses an incredible risk not only for the health of mothers, but also for the next generation of Sudan’s children. As much as 30 per cent of child malnutrition begins in utero, so children born to malnourished mothers are likely to be already malnourished themselves.

‘When children suffer from serious forms of malnutrition, it harms their physical and cognitive development and can leave life-long damage…’ – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

“Children in Sudan are experiencing horrific violence, displacement and trauma – and now they are confronted with potential famine,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “When children suffer from serious forms of malnutrition, it harms their physical and cognitive development and can leave life-long damage. Parties to the conflict must urgently allow humanitarian access so children can receive food, water, medical care and shelter. But most of all, children need peace.”

‘The international community must act now or we risk losing an entire generation of children…’ – WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain

“Mothers and children across Sudan are wasting away from malnutrition. The ongoing war has stripped them of everything they need to survive – food, medical support and shelter. We need immediate and safe access to deliver the humanitarian assistance that they so desperately need. Without it, this crisis risks becoming the world’s largest hunger emergency”, said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “Millions of lives are at stake and the international community must act now or we risk losing an entire generation of children.”

‘Malnutrition is not a one-time crisis. Malnourished children face a lifetime of developmental challenges and ill-health…’ – WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

“Malnutrition is not a one-time crisis. Malnourished children face a lifetime of developmental challenges and ill-health and are also more likely to die from infectious diseases”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The clock is ticking, edging Sudan’s mothers and children closer to famine. WHO and partners are on the ground working to prevent and treat acute malnutrition to save precious lives but we need sustained humanitarian access and full financial backing to be able to do this.”

The report acknowledges data gaps due to difficulties in gaining access to conflict hotspots. Despite this, the agencies fear that the situation is extremely critical, and continues to deteriorate. The data gaps in themselves are indicative of a lack of vital humanitarian access in the worst affected areas. All options must be utilised to reach those populations that are the most in need.

Over the coming months the situation for Sudan’s children and mothers will only worsen: the rainy season, which will cut off communities and raise rates of disease, starts in June. Sudan is also entering the lean season, a time between harvests when food stocks traditionally run low. This is particularly pertinent this year, as reports are already indicating that agricultural production in 2023 was below normal, due to insecurity and displacement.

The agencies call for immediate, unimpeded and consistent access to communities who are suffering the worst effects of the brutal and lengthy conflict, through all possible crossline and cross-border routes with neighbouring countries, as well as a de-escalation of the situation in El Fasher and a nationwide ceasefire. We also count on a renewed and significant scaled up support from donors. The window to avert the worst is rapidly closing.

‘The noose of war is tightening its stranglehold on a civilian population that is under attack from all sides…’ – UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami

In a statement yesterday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, said she was “profoundly distressed by the humanitarian situation in El Fasher, where the noose of war is tightening its stranglehold on a civilian population that is under attack from all sides.

“We are receiving deeply worrying reports that medical facilities, displacement camps, and critical civilian infrastructure have been targeted by parties to the conflict. Many parts of El Fasher have been left without electricity or water. A growing proportion of the population has limited access to basic necessities and essential services, including food and healthcare.”

In a press briefing on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 58,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher since April 1. “Many more people, including children and elderly people, are unable or are being prevented from moving to safer areas.”

‘Famine (IPC Phase 5)’

The UN agencies’ warning echo that in the latest Sudan Food Security Alert by the Washington-based Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) this month, that the war is driving a devastating deterioration in acute food insecurity across Sudan, and parts of the country face a risk of Famine (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 5).