UN Agency Reports Famine In Two More Areas In Sudan's North Darfur

NAIROBI, Feb 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- The famine threshold has been passed in two more areas in Sudan's North Darfur State, UN monitors reported on Thursday, reported German news agency dpa.

The report is based on the UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), used by the UN's Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

"Famine thresholds for acute malnutrition have been surpassed in two additional localities in North Darfur: Um Baru, with a global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate of 52.9 per cent - almost twice the famine threshold - and Kernoi, with a GAM rate of 34 per cent," it said.

The figures refer to the proportion of malnourished children aged six months to 5 years.

"These alarming rates suggest an increased risk of excess mortality and raise concern that nearby areas may be experiencing similar catastrophic conditions," the report said.

The IPC Phase 5 (extremely critical) threshold for severely malnourished children is 30 per cent. This is the highest level and indicates catastrophe/famine but also requires other criteria.

The IPC officials noted that humanitarian access across Sudan remained severely constrained due to insecurity, the presence of unexploded ordnance, movement restrictions, checkpoint delays, administrative hurdles, informal fees, and interference in operations.

"The remaining population in El Fasher town is largely inaccessible, meanwhile escalating conflict along the Sudan-Chad border threatens to compromise the essential supply route from Chad, cutting off millions in need of assistance across Greater Darfur," it said.

The situation in Kordofan is also deteriorating rapidly owing to intense fighting between government forces and rebels from the  Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a civil war that has raged for almost three years.

The IPC has also referred to famine in Kadugli in South Kordofan State, which is under siege by the RSF.

According to it its figures, 4.2 million people in Sudan are threatened by acute malnutrition this year, and more than 21 million lack access to adequate food supplies.

--BERNAMA--dpa