Migration Organization: Situation in Sudan Has Reached ‘Catastrophic Collapse’
Sudan Events – Follow-ups
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that the humanitarian situation in Sudan has reached a “catastrophic collapse” due to the ongoing war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces militia.
The international organization indicated in a statement that “famine, floods, and the challenges facing millions of people struggling to cope with the largest displacement crisis in the world, after 16 months of brutal conflict in Sudan.”
The organization pointed out that famine has spread in the Zamzam camp near the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, home to half a million displaced people, where the camp is experiencing severe food scarcity, leading to high rates of malnutrition and death.
It confirmed that nearly all internally displaced persons throughout Sudan are living in areas suffering from acute levels of food insecurity or worse.
The organization explained that displacement is increasing, with more than 10.7 million people seeking safety inside the country, and the conflict in Sennar State (southeast) alone has led to the displacement of more than 700,000 people last month (July).
Regarding the floods, the IOM said that widespread rains and floods have worsened the situation, displacing more than 20,000 people since last June in 11 of Sudan’s 18 states, and the floods have swept away vital infrastructure, further disrupting the delivery of critical humanitarian aid.
It warned that over the next three months, an estimated 25.6 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity as the conflict spreads.
The organization’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Othman Belbeisi, was quoted as saying: “There is no doubt that these conditions will continue to worsen if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian access persist.” He added, “We have reached a breaking point, a catastrophic and tragic point.”
