Zamzam camp in Sudan has received its first aid convoy in months, providing crucial support to approximately 500,000 displaced individuals affected by ongoing civil conflict. The convoy arrives amidst reports of famine conditions, with the WFP mobilizing resources to reach the most affected areas. Safe passage for aid and continuous international support remain critical for alleviating hunger and malnutrition in the region.
In a significant development amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis, the Zamzam camp in Sudan, which shelters approximately 500,000 displaced persons, has received its first aid convoy in several months. This convoy, coordinated by the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), arrived on Friday after delays caused by intense fighting in el-Fasher and impassable roads due to adverse weather conditions. The dire situation in Zamzam has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has led to widespread hunger, with 10 million individuals forced to flee their homes.
The WFP has indicated that the conflict has resulted in famine conditions within the camp, characterized by alarming levels of malnutrition and mortality rates. Independent food security assessments ascertain that at least 20% of households in Zamzam suffer from extreme food shortages, alongside 30% of children experiencing acute malnutrition. The recently deployed aid encompasses three convoys totaling more than 700 trucks, designed to feed approximately 1.5 million individuals for over a month, with some aid delivered to South Kordofan as well. Laurent Bukera, WFP’s regional director for eastern Africa, emphasized the paramount need for safe passage for aid trucks and ongoing international support to assist families at risk.
Despite allegations against both warring factions regarding obstruction of aid deliveries, they have denied such claims. The convoy received by Zamzam began its journey from Adré on the Chad border, a crucial route for humanitarian aid access that was intermittently closed due to governmental mandates. Recently, the government granted a three-month extension for utilizing this corridor.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is primarily driven by an 18-month civil war, leading to a catastrophic situation in Darfur, particularly in camps such as Zamzam. This conflict involves a power struggle primarily between the Sudanese army and the RSF, profoundly impacting the civilian population. El-Fasher remains the only city in Darfur under military control, while Zamzam has seen an influx of displaced persons since April. The World Food Programme has characterized the conditions in Zamzam as truly dire, meeting the criteria for famine, and continues to mobilize resources amidst the ongoing violence and logistics challenges inherent in the rainy season.
In summary, the recent arrival of aid at the Zamzam camp represents a crucial lifeline for thousands facing famine as a result of the prolonged civil conflict in Sudan. The escalating numbers of displaced persons and the alarming malnutrition rates highlight the urgent need for sustained international assistance and safe access for humanitarian aid. The WFP’s efforts to provide food relief are essential in mitigating the immediate crisis, but a more extensive and coordinated international response is necessary to address the underlying causes of the humanitarian disaster.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
