Displacement sites across Sudan’s Darfur region are witnessing a severe humanitarian crisis marked by shortages of food and drinking water and rising levels of hunger. The suspension of humanitarian assistance has pushed hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the conflict into catastrophic conditions.
Shelters across the region are facing mounting pressure as waves of displacement continue to increase, while thousands of those who have fled their homes are experiencing emergency levels of acute food insecurity.
The Tragedy of Kalma Camp
The humanitarian situation in Kalma Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur State has deteriorated, amid warnings of the risk of famine and calls for urgent intervention.
Located in Bileil Locality, approximately 17 kilometres from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, Kalma Camp is one of the largest and oldest displacement camps in Darfur and Sudan. Established in 2004 following the outbreak of the first Darfur war in 2003, the camp hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
The Threat of Hunger
In this regard, Haroun Fadl, a member of the camp’s Emergency Response Rooms, told Mashawir that “there are extremely alarming signs of worsening food insecurity and rising risks of hunger and malnutrition due to severe shortages of humanitarian assistance, soaring prices of basic commodities and living costs, and the failure of the agricultural season following reduced rainfall.”
According to Fadl, the living conditions of displaced people in the area are deteriorating dramatically, particularly following the suspension of support and humanitarian assistance by both local authorities and humanitarian organisations for more than 60 days. Residents of the shelters have been sharing the little they have among themselves.
“Food supplies are beginning to run out, and dozens of people go a day or even longer without eating. This exposes them to acute malnutrition and puts their lives at risk of death, particularly amid the lack of healthcare and medicines,” he added.
Deteriorating Conditions
For his part, Imad Hassan, who was displaced from Karnoy Locality, told Mashawir that “the living conditions of displaced people in the shelters are extremely dire. Most of the assistance reaching the centres comes through community initiatives and charitable individuals, and consists of very limited supplies that cannot meet daily needs, given the overcrowding in the shelters.”
He pointed out that “women are suffering severely, and deaths have been recorded among women due to malnutrition, poisoning and dengue fever, in addition to childbirth complications and recurrent miscarriages.”
Hassan also noted that “the situation of pregnant women in displacement camps is extremely difficult due to the lack of sufficient food for mothers and their unborn babies, as women have higher nutritional requirements during pregnancy.”
Urgent Humanitarian Appeal
Meanwhile, the Coordination Council of Emergency Response Rooms in Malha Locality, North Darfur State, has warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe as thousands of people face displacement and hunger.
The council issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to international and local organisations and relief agencies, warning of the worsening humanitarian situation in the locality amid waves of internal displacement from northern areas and deteriorating living conditions.
The council said the locality was facing the consequences of drought and shortages of food supplies, noting that the failure of this year’s agricultural season had exacerbated the crisis, leaving large numbers of people unable to secure food and meet their basic needs.
Catastrophic Deterioration
In a related development, Adam Rijal, the official spokesperson for the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees, told Mashawir that “the indicators of hunger are not confined to Kalma Camp alone. Rather, the camp represents an example of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in other displacement camps across Darfur, where similar crises persist, including food shortages, declining healthcare services and rising living costs.”
He added that “the consequences of drought and the failure of the agricultural season have contributed to a widespread humanitarian crisis that requires an urgent and comprehensive response for all affected communities.”
According to Rijal, health centres in the camp have recorded alarming health indicators, with approximately 2,750 cases of malnutrition among children reported in just one month. In addition, malaria, acute diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid and anaemia are spreading amid shortages of medicines and essential medical supplies needed to provide treatment.
Rijal warned that “the harsh humanitarian realities on the ground are deeply concerning, particularly if the decline in humanitarian funding, cuts in assistance and rising food prices continue, alongside the consequences of the failed agricultural season and the deteriorating purchasing power of displaced households. This situation threatens further deterioration in food security and health conditions.”
Thousands Displaced
In a related development, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that approximately 2,000 people were displaced from several villages in Karnoy and Ambro localities in North Darfur State during the final three days of October, due to deteriorating security conditions. Some displaced families crossed the border into Chad.
The organisation’s field teams recorded the additional displacement of 1,150 people from villages in Ambro Locality during the same period. Some moved to other locations within the locality, while others crossed the border into Chad.
The areas of Karnoy and Ambro in North Darfur State continue to face attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as part of efforts to extend their control over these areas, which remain among the last pockets in Darfur outside their control.
