Mercy Corps Statement on Sudan Famine Review Committee Confirming Famine Conditions in North Darfur

August 01, 2024

Following today's report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee which confirms famine conditions in parts of North Darfur, Mercy Corps Director of Programs for Sudan, Barrett Alexander, says:

“Today's report spotlighting the dire situation in El Fasher, particularly in Zam Zam camp, is merely the tip of the iceberg. We can only imagine the extent of starvation and deprivation in other regions where we lack similar data, particularly in the 14 areas identified in the latest IPC report, including Greater Darfur, the Kordofan areas, and Khartoum State. A recent assessment by Mercy Corps' team in Central and South Darfur revealed that nine out of ten children, particularly those under five, are suffering from life-threatening malnutrition. 

Drawing from our experience with previous famines, we know that widespread deaths have already occurred by the time a famine is officially declared. Unfortunately, the politics surrounding famine declarations are fundamentally flawed. While debates continue over the criteria for declaring a famine, people are dying of starvation. We cannot afford to wait for more data or formal declarations as the specter of starvation looms over millions of Sudanese lives. 

The conflict's devastating impact on food systems and the restrictions on humanitarian access—whether imposed arbitrarily by warring factions or due to insecurity—have exacerbated the hunger crisis. Millions of people cannot access the life-saving aid they desperately need, including food, water, and medicine. 

We must deploy all possible efforts to address the impacts of conflict-induced hunger immediately. This includes fully funding the humanitarian response. A significant increase in funding disbursements, combined with robust efforts to address humanitarian access impediments, is urgently required. In the immediate term, funding should be directed towards proven modalities that rapidly alleviate hunger and suffering in the worst-affected and hardest-to-reach areas, such as cash assistance and direct financial support to local responders.”

 

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