Sudan: Malnutrition crisis threatens mums

Limited humanitarian presence, increased needs

The scarcity of humanitarian activities by UN agencies and the lack of a humanitarian response equal to needs impose challenges on efforts to address food security and the malnutrition crisis in South Darfur and across Sudan.

This means limited resources, which lead to gaps in lifesaving services, particularly the treatment of malnutrition. MSF had initiated emergency nutritional support in some of the most affected areas, but our teams are facing considerable pressure to sustain and expand the support. 
 

A nutrition response under pressure

In December, MSF began distributing food parcels to families of children and of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers enrolled in our malnutrition treatment programmes. The aim: to offer short-term relief to those facing the harshest consequences of food insecurity, particularly as the economic situation continues to deteriorate. In South Darfur, people have been exposed to extreme levels of violence. Many have been forced from their homes—cut off from income and support networks, women are often left to care for large families on their own. With few available options, meeting basic needs is difficult.

For instance, hungry relatives might divide a child’s therapeutic food among themselves. To reduce this, we provide a family ration for two months. The ration amounts to 2,000 calories per day per person, at an average of five persons per family, for two months. This programme helps give the whole family the food they need, which supports the treatment of malnourished children towards a healthy weight.

Even so, “the needs remain overwhelming,” says Hunter McGovern, MSF’s targeted food distribution project coordinator in South Darfur. “We found the average family size is much larger—sometimes as many as 10 people per household.” People travel when they hear a relatives’ family has received food assistance. “This underscores how critical the food shortage is and how much more assistance is required.”

The need for a stronger humanitarian response

MSF remains committed to addressing the urgent nutritional needs of people affected by conflict in South Darfur, but the scale of the crisis far exceeds the capacity of the limited number of organisations responding to it.

And rain is coming. The wet is the most difficult season for people in South Darfur to access food and for humanitarian supplies to reach the state. Supplies for the treatment of malnutrition and for food distribution programmes must be organised now before communities are cut off. Local responders need funding and support to continue providing—and expand—programmes for their communities.

Providing food distribution programmes and expanding inpatient and outpatient therapeutic feeding programmes during this so-called “hunger gap” is challenging but possible and can help prevent needless suffering and mortality.

With food security deteriorating and malnutrition rates rising, we need your help to urgently scale up humanitarian assistance so women and children can receive the support they desperately need. Without acting now, the crisis will only deepen, putting countless lives at risk.