Sudan is currently facing one of the most severe crises in recent history, with widespread suffering and growing needs that are not being adequately met by the humanitarian response. The situation is dire, with limited access to essential medical supplies and personnel due to blockades imposed by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been on the frontlines, providing life-saving surgical procedures, assisting with childbirth, treating malnourished children, and improving water and sanitation conditions in refugee camps and displaced persons’ locations. However, they are often the only humanitarian organization present in many areas, where dozens used to operate before the conflict.
The lack of access to medical supplies and personnel has led to critical shortages in MSF facilities, with some running out of vital medications like artesunate for malaria treatment. As a result, patients are dying from violence-related injuries, preventable illnesses, and malnutrition. Outbreaks of deadly diseases like cholera and measles are also on the rise.
In Zamzam camp in North Darfur, the situation is particularly dire, with no food distributions since May 2023 leading to high rates of malnutrition and mortality. MSF has called for urgent action from the UN to scale up the humanitarian response, resume food distributions, provide cash assistance, and ensure access to clean water.
Despite these urgent pleas, the international response has been lacking, leaving MSF almost alone in their efforts to save lives in Sudan. The organization continues to call for increased funding, safe access for humanitarian actors, and adherence to International Humanitarian Law to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of essential aid.
The situation in Sudan is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate and coordinated action from the international community to prevent further deterioration and save lives. MSF urges the UN, donors, and warring parties to fulfill their obligations and scale up the humanitarian response before it’s too late.
