UNICEF: Tens of thousands of children to die in Sudan with no aid
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As revealed by the UN, nearly 18 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity, with more than half the population of around 25 million needing aid
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Sudanese refugees gather outside a field hospital in Acre, Chad, Aug. 15, 2023. (AP)
The United Nations children's agency UNICEF warned today that tens of thousands of children in Sudan could die if aid is not dramatically increased, as the war is expected to leave over 700,000 children severely malnourished this year.
The agency urged the world to break its silence on the disaster triggered by the 10-month civil war in Sudan.
Spokesperson James Elder, who just came back from Sudan, informed reporters in Geneva, "The consequences of the past 300 days means that more than 700,000 children are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition this year," stressing, "We won't be able to treat more than 300,000 of them without improved access and additional support," concluding that "Tens of thousands will likely die."
Malnutrition, displacement, diseases, abuse and death
According to UN experts, the war that started in April last year between Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, his former deputy and commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has already killed thousands, including 10,000 to 15,000 who died in a single city in the western Darfur region.
As revealed by the UN, nearly 18 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity with more than half the population of around 25 million needing aid. Children are already dying due to severe malnutrition and, fast and widely spreading diseases like cholera, measles, and malaria.
The Doctors Without Borders charity (MSF) stated that at least one child dies every two hours in the Zamzam camp hosting displaced people in Darfur, noting that this war initiated one of the world's largest displacement disasters, with around eight million people leaving their homes, half of whom are children.
Elder stressed, "That's 13,000 children every single day for 300 days."
Highlighting that only in a year, murders, sexual violence, and child involvement in fights have increased by 500 percent, he stated, "That equates to terrifying numbers of children killed, raped or recruited. And these numbers are the tip of the iceberg," urging a ceasefire, and more aid.
UN appealing for funds
This week, the UN appealed for $4.1 billion to assist civilians inside Sudan and those who fled seeking refuge, dedicating $840 million to aid 7.6 million of the most vulnerable children.
Elder stated that three-quarters of the agency's appeal last year was not supported, urging donors to do more this year.
"The world needs to stop turning a blind eye," he stated then asked, "Where is our collective humanity if we allow this situation to continue?"
