Khartoum: As conflict between rival militaries rages on, millions of people keep on being displaced.
According to United Nations, the UN and its partners continue to provide assistance to newly displaced families in North Darfur, but nearly 60 percent of these families still lack adequate shelter support, stated Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, during a daily press briefing.
In the Abu Shouk camp located in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, displaced families are suffering from severe shortages of food and medicine. Local sources have reported four hunger-related deaths in the past week, highlighting the worsening food insecurity across the country. Despite local authorities implementing emergency measures, such as market closures and a ban on public gatherings, humanitarian organizations are urgently seeking $120 million to enhance life-saving support in Tawila over the next three months. This funding is crucial to contain the outbreak and maintain essential services, as noted by OCHA.
Meanwhile, in Port Sudan, the main entry point for humanitarian personnel and supplies, there has been a significant increase in heatstroke cases due to extreme temperatures and prolonged power outages. This has resulted in one death in the past two days, raising further concerns.
In El Fasher, food prices have escalated to alarming levels. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has already identified famine conditions in several areas of North Darfur and the eastern Nuba Mountains, with more locations at risk. In May, the average cost of a local food basket in El Fasher was more than six times the national average, with the city recording the highest prices for nearly all essential items compared to other assessed localities. An IPC alert issued earlier this month warned that Sudan’s food security and nutrition situation is expected to deteriorate further during the lean season from July to October, particularly in areas experiencing active conflict, limited access, and high levels of displacement.