The organization estimates that nearly 230,000 children, pregnant women, and new mothers face the very real possibility of death in the coming months without urgent intervention.

This desperate situation stems from a toxic combination of factors. A severe lack of funding for humanitarian aid programs is crippling efforts to reach those most in need.  Furthermore, a brutal conflict escalating since April 2023 has significantly worsened security conditions, making it incredibly difficult to deliver life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations.

A Nation on the Precipice of Famine

The numbers paint a grim picture. Over 2.9 million Sudanese children are acutely malnourished, meaning their bodies lack the essential nutrients for proper growth and development.  Among them, 729,000 children under five grapple with severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of hunger.  Save the Children warns that over 109,000 of these malnourished children are at high risk of developing life-threatening complications like dehydration, hypothermia, and hypoglycemia, requiring specialized hospital care for survival.

The funding shortfall for emergency feeding programs is particularly alarming. Currently, these programs can only address a meager 5.5% of Sudan's staggering needs.  For comparison, last year's program, though demonstrably inadequate, managed to secure funding for 23% of the requirements.  This drastic decline in resources translates to a horrifying reality -  222,000 severely malnourished children and 7,000 new mothers could perish in the coming months if their nutritional and health needs remain unmet.  The potential loss of life extends beyond these immediate numbers.  An estimated 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are at risk of malnutrition themselves, jeopardizing not only their health but also the well-being of their developing babies.  Save the Children reports encountering pregnant women forced to prioritize their children's meals, going hungry themselves to ensure their offspring have a chance at survival.

Conflict and Destruction Compound the Crisis

Beyond funding shortages, the ongoing conflict presents a significant obstacle to delivering aid.  "Hard-to-reach" areas, deemed too dangerous for humanitarian workers due to fighting, have increased by a staggering 71% since November 2023.  Furthermore, the destruction of a critical facility responsible for producing therapeutic food, essential for treating severe malnutrition in children, has further crippled the aid response.

The conflict has also had a devastating impact on food production and distribution.  Since April 2023, food production has plummeted, imports have stalled, and staple food prices have skyrocketed by a staggering 45%.  Movement of food across the country, particularly to rural and remote areas where most people reside, has been severely restricted by the conflict.  This perfect storm of factors has pushed over 37% of the Sudanese population into a state of severe hunger.

A Call to Action for the International Community

Save the Children is issuing a desperate plea to the international community. Urgent action is needed to avert a catastrophe.  The organization calls for a significant increase in funding and resources to enable a large-scale response that addresses the critical needs across Sudan.  In addition to international support, local and national organizations already on the ground providing vital aid require additional resources and backing.  Finally, an immediate end to the conflict and unfettered access for humanitarian organizations are crucial to ensure life-saving assistance reaches those in dire need. 

Save the Children's Legacy of Support

Save the Children has a long and distinguished history of working in Sudan, dating back to 1983.  The organization's tireless efforts focus on providing essential services like healthcare, nutrition, education, and child protection.  Their dedication extends beyond Sudan's borders, as they also support refugees fleeing the conflict in neighboring countries.

The situation in Sudan demands immediate global attention.  Without a concerted effort to address the funding shortfall, improve security conditions, and deliver life-saving aid, Sudan faces the very real possibility of a devastating famine. The lives of hundreds of thousands of children and mothers hang in the balance. (ILKHA)