The United Nations World Food Programme has temporarily suspended food aid distribution in Sudan’s North Darfur, specifically in the Zamzam camp, due to escalating violence. This decision comes after medical charity MSF halted its activities in the camp, which has been repeatedly attacked by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The situation is dire, with “thousands of desperate families in Zamzam” at risk of starvation in the coming weeks, warns Laurent Bukera, WFP’s East Africa Director. “We must resume the delivery of life-saving aid in and around Zamzam safely, quickly and at scale. For that the fighting must stop, and humanitarian organisations must be granted security guarantees”.
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has led to the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis. Satellite imagery confirms the use of heavy weaponry in and around Zamzam, with terrified civilians, including humanitarian workers, unable to leave the area during intense fighting.
Famine was confirmed in Zamzam camp in August, and since then, WFP has only managed to deliver one aid convoy despite repeated attempts. The closure of the Adre border crossing into Darfur from Chad has also hindered food stockpiling in Zamzam.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is staggering, with over 12 million people displaced and half the country – 24.6 million people – experiencing acute hunger. Edem Wosornu, Senior UN aid official, emphasizes the need for “real implementation of the repeated commitments to facilitate and enable unhindered, unfettered humanitarian access to civilians in need”.