Sudanese refugee children facing severe malnutrition

Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are facing a severe hunger crisis due to conflict and displacement, affecting at least 25 million people in the region, VOA reported in an article.

The World Food Program is struggling to meet the needs of those affected, with an estimated 18 million people in Sudan experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition.

The situation is particularly dire for children, with increasing rates of malnutrition in temporary transit camps. According to WFP, 4% of children fleeing to South Sudan are malnourished when they arrive. The figure increases to 25% in the transit center near the border between Sudan and South Sudan.

Also, more than 553,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad since the conflict started, with 40% of the children who arrive at an emergency clinic at a reception camp experiencing acute malnutrition. The rate of malnutrition in the refugee camps in Chad is above the WHO emergency threshold of 15%.

The crisis is expected to worsen without resolution of the conflict, access for humanitarian agencies, and adequate funding. The World Food Program is facing a funding gap of nearly $300 million over the next six months, making it increasingly difficult to provide necessary care.