Key Takeaways:

• MSF has halted operations in Zamzam camp due to violence and insecurity.
• The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with up to 80% of food kitchens closed.
• The ongoing conflict has displaced millions, pushing many to starvation.
• United States aid freeze further complicates the humanitarian situation.

The humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been compelled to suspend its activities in Zamzam camp, located in Sudan's North Darfur region. This decision comes as fighting escalates, making it too hazardous to provide essential medical care to an already vulnerable population. The camp, home to around 500,000 displaced individuals affected by Sudan's relentless civil war, has seen a surge in violence due to increasing clashed between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which resumed in April 2023.

"Halting our project in the midst of a worsening disaster in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision," stated Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s head of mission in Sudan, reflecting on the dire circumstances. MSF was one of the last NGOs active in the area, providing vital medical assistance, particularly treating malnourished children and victims of conflict-related injuries. The organization reported treating over 130 patients with severe injuries within the last few weeks, with 11 succumbing due to a lack of adequate medical support.

Compounding the crisis, the US has imposed a significant aid freeze, debilitating food assistance efforts within the country. Reports indicate that up to 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan have closed, leaving millions further exposed to hunger and displacement. Despite having issued waivers for life-saving assistance, the effectiveness of these measures remains in question. Hunger levels have reached critical heights, with the UN estimating that 24.6 million people face acute food shortages.

The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the internal conflict and poor security conditions, with the World Food Programme noting the pervasive hunger affecting millions and potentially rendering Sudan the "world’s largest hunger crisis in recent history."

The situation continues to spiral, as MSF has concluded that "the sheer proximity of the violence, difficulties in sending supplies, and the impossibility of sending trained personnel" compelled their withdrawal from the camp. With the ongoing atrocities reported in surrounding areas, including killings and sexual violence, many families fleeing violence find themselves trapped under dire conditions in Zamzam, jeopardized by a lack of adequate shelter and medical care.

The violence not only impacts civilians but also hampers humanitarian intervention. The RSF's recent announcement of forming a rival government signals deepening instability. The precarious environment has left many dependent on dwindling assistance and raises significant concerns for the future humanitarian effort in Sudan. "The need for humanitarian aid is immense, yet the avenues for relief are narrowing rapidly," cautioned Kalilah.

For further reading, see the full articles from Reuters, Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.