The Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres at a Monday briefing said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is warning that active conflict and worsening flooding continue to fuel misery across the country, including in North Darfur.
According to Farhan Haq, on Saturday, fighting in the state capital El Fasher reportedly displaced nearly 2,000 people from the Al Salam camp. The Famine Review Committee warned last week that famine conditions are likely prevalent in the Al Salam camp.
“In Zamzam-where famine conditions have been confirmed-more than 5,000 people have been displaced due to heavy rains in recent weeks. There are alarming reports that latrines and water points are being flooded, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases at a time when people are already dying from hunger and illness,” he said. “The UN and its humanitarian partners are trying to scale up assistance in these and other hunger hotspots in Sudan, but we continue to face major challenges, including access constraints, impassable roads, and funding gaps for the aid operation.”
Haq added: “Once again, the UN calls for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, including across borders and battle lines, to stop a large-scale famine from taking hold.”