ALBAWBA - According to a report by the medical NGO, Doctors Without Borders, a child dies in displacement camps in Sudan's Northern Darfur, as the war continues to tear through the African country since April 15, 2023.
The MSF report said it estimates that there are around 13 child deaths each day, according to the rapid nutrition and mortality assessment conducted in January. "Their malnutrition is treatable if they can access a health care facility, but due to lack of resources many are left without support as their condition worsens," the report reads.
Claire Nicolet, head of MSF’s emergency response in Sudan stated: "What we are seeing in Zamzam camp is an absolutely catastrophic situation. We estimate that at least one child is dying every two hours in the camp".
"Our current estimate is that there are around 13 child deaths each day. Those with severe malnutrition who have not yet died are at high risk of dying within three to six weeks if they do not get treatment. Their condition is treatable if they can get to a health facility. But many cannot," Nicolet added.
MSF is the only operational health provider in Zamzam camp, which is one of Sudan's largest and oldest displaced persons camps. Our small clinic is overwhelmed by the volume of patients and the severity of their clinical conditions.
North Darfur's already fragile health system, as well as the entire humanitarian response, have collapsed over the last nine months, and the clinic is one of the few fully operational outpatient health centers in the region.
MSF warned that their staff members are no longer receiving salaries, equipment, and medicines are running out, as are fuel for generators, water, and other supplies that are needed to keep health facilities running.
The emergency response chief said that people in the Zamzam camp were heavily reliant on international support for food, healthcare, and clean water, way before the war, and now they are almost completely abandoned.
The report added that the World Food Programme (WFP) has stopped food distributions since May 2023. "Families used to eat two meals a day, now they tell us they are eating only one. People are going hungry – and children are dying as a result" the report added.
