Breaking News: Malnutrition Crisis Escalates in Khartoum as Hunger Grips Sudan
In a harrowing turn of events, malnutrition rates have surged dramatically in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, as ongoing violence exacerbates an already critical hunger crisis. Families are desperate, with mothers like Asma Muhammad bringing their severely malnourished children to overwhelmed hospitals, seeking life-saving treatment after enduring weeks of deprivation.
For over two years, Asma and her daughter were trapped in their district, besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as fighting raged around them. Only after the Sudanese army regained control could they escape to seek medical help. “Food can’t come in or out,” Asma lamented, her daughter now fighting for her life after becoming anemic and requiring blood transfusions to stabilize her condition.
Reports indicate that hospitals in Khartoum are admitting at least a dozen malnourished children daily, with many suffering from infections and diseases linked to their dire lack of food. Fatma Ali, another mother, recounted how her infant developed severe symptoms due to inadequate nutrition, necessitating intensive care.
The situation is catastrophic, with over 30 million Sudanese—more than half the population—lacking sufficient food. Among them, over 600,000 face extreme hunger, with children disproportionately affected. Aid organizations struggle to deliver essential assistance, hampered by ongoing violence and funding shortages.
While the army’s recent control of Khartoum has opened some avenues for humanitarian aid, the crisis extends far beyond the capital. Regions like Kadugli and Darfur are in dire need, yet access remains unpredictable as conflict dynamics shift. The UN’s World Food Program warns that many families will face starvation without immediate intervention.
For mothers and their children in Khartoum, the fight against malnutrition is urgent and life-threatening. As they leave hospitals, they confront a stark reality: without sustained aid, they risk returning to the brink of starvation. The world must respond now—lives hang in the balance.