Infographic: Sudan's Malnutrition Crisis

Armed conflicts are associated with an increased risk of food insecurity, the leading cause of malnutrition in low-and-middle-income countries. Food insecurity occurs when there is physical inaccessibility to food or the lack of social and economic access to food. The conflict is having a major impact on food production.

In Sudan, the March harvests were very poor, and food processing factories have been destroyed or closed by the conflict. The economy has almost ground to a halt, so many Sudanese people have barely any income and food prices are skyrocketing. Poor nutrition, poor access to health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and food are threatening the health of the country’s children.

Even before conflict erupted in Sudan in April, 2023 malnutrition rates among children under 5 years were on the rise. In December, conflict-induced malnutrition is pervasive, affecting 3.4 million children under 5 years, with 690 000 severely malnourished.

Meanwhile, the U.N Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) said that child malnutrition is being worsened by limited access to nutritious food, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation as well as an increased risk of disease.

The 13-month-long conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has further intensified the conditions. At least 9 million people displaced in Sudan struggle to receive life-saving aid amid ongoing violence and crippling bureaucracy.

Child malnutrition in Sudan is at emergency levels. In Central Darfur, acute malnutrition is estimated to be at 15.6 percent among children under 5, while in ZamZam camp it’s close to 30%. The situation has deteriorated over recent months, with no sign of abating due to continued conflict and severely hindered humanitarian access. Acute malnutrition is life-threatening, with malnourished children up to 11 times more likely to die than a well-nourished child.

Moreover, malnutrition and disease reinforce each other, with sick children becoming more easily malnourished and malnourished children becoming sick more easily, and suffering worse outcomes. Even when children recover, malnutrition can have lifelong effects on physical and cognitive development. Sudan risks a lost generation, with grave implications for the country’s future.

Nevertheless, levels of malnutrition are particularly worrying among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. For example, screening carried out last month by Medecins Sans Frontieres in ZamZam camp, North Darfur, found over 33 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, indicating that they are likely sacrificing their own needs to feed their children. This situation poses an incredible risk not only for the health of mothers, but also for the next generation of Sudan’s children. As much as 30 percent of child malnutrition begins in utero, so children born to malnourished mothers are likely to be already malnourished themselves.

Similarly, the agencies say that due to conflict, the U.N.’s recent analysis still has data gaps, indicating minimal humanitarian presence in some areas of the country. They say an impending rainy season, beginning in June, will further isolate communities and breed disease. A lean season between harvests, when food runs low, is also approaching.

In addition, the UN report says they are likely feeding their children instead of themselves, posing danger to the mother and the future child, since as much as 30% of malnutrition begins in utero.

Facts & Figures:

At least 9 million people displaced in Sudan struggle to receive life-saving aid amid ongoing violence and crippling bureaucracy.
Parts of Sudan are seeing emergency levels of child malnutrition. About 15.6% of children under age five suffer acute malnutrition in Central Darfur. In ZamZam camp in North Darfur, that number is around 30%.
For pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, the malnutrition crisis is particularly concerning. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), over 33% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in the ZamZam camp are malnourished.

* Number of conflict displaced people – 9 million