Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) announced on Wednesday that in South Darfur, Sudan, pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns are dying at alarming rates, and thousands of children are suffering from severe malnutrition on the verge of famine. The report details that the health crisis in South Darfur is among the worst globally, driven by ongoing conflict between the army and Rapid Support Forces.
The situation in South Darfur is described as a snapshot of what likely extends to other isolated regions with horrifying statistics. Within the first eight months of the year, the organization supported two hospitals in South Darfur, where they recorded 46 maternal deaths and 48 newborn deaths due to infections.
About a third of children under two years old examined in South Darfur in August were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition, more than double the emergency threshold set by the World Health Organization. Over eight percent of these children were suffering from severe malnutrition, a leading cause of death.
Gillian Burkhart, MSF’s director for sexual and reproductive health in South Darfur, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that multiple health emergencies are occurring simultaneously with almost no international response, leading to shocking numbers of deaths among newborns, pregnant women, and mothers.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has significantly worsened the humanitarian situation, leading to widespread displacement and acute food insecurity. The ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have disrupted many areas, especially those critical for crop production, exacerbating food shortages. This has resulted in over 17.7 million people facing acute hunger, with 4.9 million on the brink of famine. More than 8.6 million individuals have been displaced, including over 6.6 million within Sudan and about 1.8 million who have fled to neighboring countries.
The situation is dire, with a significant portion of the population, including children, facing malnutrition and a lack of basic healthcare services. Around 700,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. The educational prospects for nearly 19 million school-aged children are also at risk as the conflict has led to the closure and struggle to reopen schools across the country.
The United Nations Security Council has been actively involved, adopting various resolutions aimed at mitigating the crisis and fostering peace. The UN’s efforts are supported by the appointment of a Personal Envoy for Sudan, who facilitates dialogue and supports peace initiatives on the ground.
