The conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has severely damaged civilian infrastructure, led to a collapse of basic services, and caused a significant displacement crisis globally.
A nutrition survey in Um Baru locality, North Darfur, one of the areas hardest hit by the conflict, revealed that over 50% of children under five suffer from acute malnutrition. These malnutrition levels are among the highest ever recorded in an emergency assessment, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which warns that without urgent, unrestricted humanitarian access, children face an immediate risk of death from preventable causes.
The survey, which screened nearly 500 children, found a 53% acute malnutrition rate—more than three times the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold. It also noted that 18% of children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition that can result in death within weeks if untreated.
“When severe acute malnutrition reaches this level, time becomes the most critical factor,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Children in Um Baru are fighting for their lives and need immediate help.”
North Darfur has become the center of Sudan’s hunger crisis following intensified fighting in and around El Fasher, the state capital, which fell in October after being under siege for over 500 days. Many families now in Um Baru are newly displaced, having fled El Fasher and surrounding areas since October.
UNICEF noted that many children among the displaced have missed routine immunizations, including against measles, leaving them highly vulnerable to disease. The survey also recorded emergency-level crude mortality rates, highlighting the lethal combination of hunger, illness, and lack of basic services.
Although life-saving supplies such as ready-to-use therapeutic food have been pre-positioned, UNICEF emphasized that nutrition treatment alone is insufficient. Holistic health and nutrition services are urgently needed given the scale of the emergency, the agency stated.
Humanitarian access remains a major challenge. On December 26, after prolonged negotiations, a UN team conducted its first security assessment inside El Fasher since the siege began, visiting the Saudi hospital and speaking with residents trapped in the city. UN staff reported a severe lack of basic supplies and services.
Humanitarian convoys carrying food and medical aid have been blocked from entering El Fasher for months, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee while those remaining endure extreme deprivation.
As conditions deteriorate, displacement beyond Sudan’s borders is increasing. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that nearly 19,400 Sudanese refugees have crossed into eastern Chad since attacks escalated around El Fasher at the end of October. Women and children constitute 87% of new arrivals, many arriving at the border exhausted and traumatized after fleeing violence, sexual abuse, and extortion. Since late October, more than 2,700 unaccompanied or separated children and over 1,100 people with disabilities have been registered.
Despite insecurity and movement restrictions along major routes, an average of about 250 refugees per day has crossed into Chad in recent weeks. UNHCR warned that cross-border movements are likely to continue as fighting, economic collapse, and protection risks increase.
A recent security incident at the Tiné border crossing—where a Sudanese army drone struck a position held by Chadian troops—briefly halted humanitarian activities, underscoring the volatile conditions under which aid is being delivered.
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