Sudan famine kills 13 children in displacement camp over June
Medics have reported that thirteen children died in June in the Lagawa displacement camp due to a severe food shortage, according to the BBC on July 30th.
The figure was revealed by the Sudan Doctors Network, an organization with members working inside the Lagawa camp.
The organization also reported “deteriorating humanitarian conditions” and widespread malnutrition in the settlement.
Famine in Sudan was first identified in a camp in the region of Darfur in 2024, and has arisen due to the ongoing violent conflict and lack of humanitarian access.
UNICEF recently reported that the number of severely malnourished children in North Darfur has doubled since 2024.
On May 14th the Foreign Ministry made a statement that they would extend the opening of a border crossing with Chad specifically to allow humanitarian aid in until August 15th.
However, the conditions in camps like Lagawa are yet to start improving, and on July 10th International Criminal Court prosecutors revealed that war crimes are taking place in the Darfur region regarding the lack of humanitarian aid.
On July 29th the Sudan Doctors Network released a statement reading that “the network calls on the international community and humanitarian organisations to act immediately to provide food and basic healthcare to the camp’s residents, especially children and pregnant women.”
The Lagawa camp is situated in East Darfur, a state controlled by the paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese military, the Rapid Support Forces, and faces repeated attacks from armed groups.
UN experts released a report in September 2024 revealing that both the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces have carried out war crimes across Sudan.
Aid groups have also warned of a cholera outbreak in Darfur- the United Nations reported 1,500 serious infections in Tawila confirmed since June, according to the BBC.
The cholera outbreak risk is increased by the breakdown of water and sanitation services, as well as low vaccination coverage.
BBC/Maghrebi
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