Report: A Child Dies Every Two Hours in Sudan Camp

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Facts

  • According to a report published on Monday by Doctors Without Borders, at least one child dies every two hours in the Zamzam camp, one of the largest and oldest displacement camps, located in Sudan's state of North Darfur.1
  • The medical aid organization alleges that at least 13 minors are losing their lives every day to severe malnutrition. Furthermore, the worst affected are children aged between six months and two years, with about 15% suffering from severe acute malnutrition.2
  • Zamzam was reportedly established in 2003 to shelter displaced people fleeing ethnically targeted violence in Darfur. However, since the war broke out between Sudan's military and paramilitary forces last April, essential humanitarian aid has been allegedly cut off.3
  • Before the outbreak of the Sudanese war, camp residents were dependent on international aid for food, healthcare, and clean water, but Doctors Without Borders claims they had been 'almost completely abandoned.'4
  • Meanwhile, the head of the UN refugee agency has warned that Europe will face a new influx of Sudanese refugees unless aid efforts are bolstered or a ceasefire agreement isn't signed soon between Sudan's warring factions.5
  • Over 9M Sudanese have been reportedly displaced internally in Sudan, while about 1.5M refugees have fled to neighboring countries in 10 months of violent clashes.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International, 3Africanews, 4Middle East Monitor, 5PBS NewsHour and 6Millenniumpost.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Human Rights Watch. The children's unimaginable suffering and the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Sudan must be a wake-up call for all countries and institutions worldwide who take their 'values' seriously. The international response has failed to provide assistance to the suffering population or hold warring parties accountable. Global indifference is costing lives, and Sudan is sad proof of the so-called international community's failure and double standards.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by sudantribune.com. The suffering of Sudan's children is indeed a scar on the conscience of the international community. However, the complexity and multi-layeredness of this crisis and the immense challenges it poses can't be underestimated. The UN is determined to launch its largest-ever humanitarian operation for Sudan to reach millions of displaced persons. With the international community's help, addressing at least the most acute suffering and developing long-term humanitarian solutions will be possible.