Volunteers have warned of an imminent famine threatening thousands of civilians and displaced people in the Al-Kora Administrative Unit of Al-Malha locality, North Darfur State. The area, which includes Halaf, Jabal Issa, Wadi Al Akhdar, and several surrounding villages, continues to suffer from the prolonged war, worsening humanitarian conditions, the collapse of livelihoods, and an inadequate humanitarian response.
According to the Jabal Issa Emergency Response Room, the area is home to approximately 43,870 people living in 6,618 households, including 36,743 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Around 19,200 children are under the age of 18, accounting for nearly 44% of the total population, based on field data.
The emergency room said that the disruption of supply routes and the closure of major trade corridors from Al Dabbah, Humrat Al Sheikh, and Mellit have led to severe shortages of essential food commodities. At the same time, local markets have suffered extensive damage due to the security situation, causing unprecedented increases in food prices. A sack of millet, the staple food for local residents, now costs around 450,000 Sudanese pounds, a price far beyond the reach of most families.
Arbab Hassan, a member of the Jabal Issa Emergency Response Room, told Mashaweer that “the area had not received any rainfall by the end of July 2026, despite the onset of the rainy season.”
He warned that “if the situation continues, it could lead to the failure of the agricultural season and further deepen the food crisis in the coming months.”
He added that the area has recorded cases of severe acute malnutrition among children amid an almost complete absence of health and nutrition services, while no humanitarian assistance has reached the area for several months. He called for urgent intervention to provide food and essential services.
Meanwhile, Al-Tahir Tirab, a volunteer activist in North Darfur State, told Mashaweer that “the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly complex with the arrival of the rainy season due to the spread of diseases, difficulties in movement and transportation, and the growing basic needs of the population. These challenges are intensifying the suffering of thousands of families and require an urgent humanitarian response to prevent further deterioration.”
