War, famine and the risk of 3.2 million children under 5 suffering from acute malnutrition

UNICEF has issued a dire warning about the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, a country ravaged by war and famine.

UNICEF estimates that 3.2 million children under the age of five in Sudan will suffer from acute malnutrition this year. (Source: AA)

At a recent regular press conference, UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that UNICEF estimates that 3.2 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition this year in Sudan. Of these, more than 700,000 children are likely to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Calling the situation in Sudan “the world’s largest child displacement crisis,” Dujarric cited figures of five million children “displaced by conflict” and most “leaving their families with only the clothes on their backs,” with many mothers often having to walk for up to 20 days to reach refugee camps in search of safety, food and basic shelter.

UNICEF, in partnership with humanitarian partners, continues to work hard to provide safe and secure water, as well as integrated health and nutrition services, including immunization, treatment of childhood illnesses and any measures available to manage acute malnutrition in children.

Barriers to access to food and essential services will lead to more deaths, he warned.

“Immediate and unhindered humanitarian access is essential for us and our partners to deliver humanitarian assistance,” he said. “And we continue to urge governments to prioritize funding, ensure safe routes for aid, and press all parties to stop the fighting.”

Sudan has been ravaged by fighting between the country's army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.

The fighting has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced more than 14 million, according to UN and local government estimates. Some 24.6 million people - nearly half of Sudan's population - are facing severe food insecurity.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/sudan-chien-tranh-nan-doi-va-nguy-co-32-trieu-tre-em-duoi-5-tuoi-bi-suy-dinh-duong-cap-tinh-300936.html