The Civil Authority in areas controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur warned on Tuesday that Jebel Marra, Tawila, Ain Siro, and displacement camps are entering a catastrophic famine phase, amid rising deaths and cases of malnutrition among children, women, and the elderly due to severe shortages of food, medicines, and healthcare.
In a statement, the Civil Authority said that “the humanitarian catastrophe threatens the lives of millions,” who it said are enduring harsh living and health conditions in displacement camps and areas under the movement’s control.
It attributed the deterioration in conditions to the obstruction of relief convoys and humanitarian assistance, accusing the Sudanese government of using food as a weapon against victims of the war.
The authority also pointed to the failure of the agricultural season due to insufficient rainfall, the spread of epidemics, contamination of drinking water, and outbreaks of disease, amid shortages of medical supplies and the absence of field hospitals.
The Civil Authority said that “these factors have led to rising death rates inside displacement camps,” estimating the number of daily deaths at between 10 and 20.
It called on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to take urgent action to ensure the delivery of food and medical assistance to affected areas without administrative or political obstacles, and to open and secure humanitarian corridors and crossings.
