UNICEF: Hunger, Displacement, and Disease Pose Greater Threat to Children in Sudan than Bullets

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UNICEF stated today, Friday, that hunger, mass displacement, and disease are killing children much more than armed conflict itself in Sudan. It is expected that over 700,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition and will need continuous treatment to keep them alive.

Cases of "severe acute malnutrition" are the deadliest form of malnutrition, according to the organization.

Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, said, "The deadly combination of malnutrition, mass displacement, and disease is increasing day by day, and we have a very short time to prevent devastating losses of lives." She appealed to the international community to provide 840 million to reach 9.9 million people, including 7.6 million children.

She added, "We need the delivery of humanitarian aid to be safe, sustainable, and unimpeded across conflict lines and borders - and we need international support to help maintain the essential services and systems that children rely on for survival."

It is expected that around 3.5 million children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year, including more than 700,000 children who are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition and will need specialized, continuous, and life-saving treatment.

Approximately 3 million children have been internally displaced since the outbreak of the conflict, in addition to two million internally displaced children in previous crises - the largest number of internally displaced children globally.

Russell said, "We cannot abandon Sudans children." She stated, "The impact of about 10 months of war, displacement, disease, and deprivation on 24 million children in Sudan is horrifying. Without urgent action and additional resources, the country risks a generational catastrophe with serious repercussions on the country, the region, and beyond. Above all, Sudans children need a ceasefire and peace."