Malnutrition crisis deepens for Sudan’s children as war rages on – UN News

 

Report on the Escalating Child Malnutrition Crisis in Sudan and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sudan, marked by a dramatic increase in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children. This situation represents a critical setback for the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The crisis is directly fueled by escalating conflict, which undermines SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and obstructs vital humanitarian aid. This report details the scale of the malnutrition surge, its root causes, and the urgent need for international action in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Failure to Achieve SDG 2 and SDG 3 in Darfur

The nutritional status of children across the Darfur region has deteriorated to emergency levels, indicating a profound failure to ensure basic food security and health.

Key Malnutrition Indicators:

• Data from January to May 2025 reveals a 46 per cent increase in children treated for SAM across Darfur’s five states compared to the previous year.
• Rates of acute malnutrition have surpassed the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency threshold in 9 out of 13 localities in the region.
• In North Darfur, admissions for SAM treatment have doubled, with over 40,000 cases recorded in the first five months of 2025.

These figures highlight a direct contravention of the targets set by SDG 2, which aims to end all forms of malnutrition, and SDG 3, which seeks to end the preventable deaths of newborns and children under five.

Conflict as a Driver of Crisis: Undermining SDG 16

The surge in malnutrition is a direct consequence of intensified conflict, which has systematically dismantled the foundations for peace and security as outlined in SDG 16.

Impact of Hostilities:

1. Siege and Blockade: The siege of El Fasher by RSF militia has severed humanitarian access, cutting off life-saving supplies and effectively starving the population. This action directly obstructs efforts to achieve SDG 2 and SDG 3.
2. Attacks on Infrastructure and Aid: The targeting of hospitals and the looting of aid convoys represent grave violations of international humanitarian law and are significant barriers to implementing SDG 3 and SDG 16.
3. Mass Displacement: The conflict has triggered large-scale displacement, with nearly 400,000 people fleeing the Zamzam camp. These displaced populations lack access to basic necessities, including food, water (SDG 6), and shelter, deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Nationwide Crisis and Compounding Factors

The malnutrition crisis extends beyond Darfur, with alarming increases in SAM admissions recorded across other states, demonstrating a systemic national challenge to development goals.

National Admission Statistics:

• North Kordofan: 70 per cent increase in SAM admissions.
• Khartoum State: 174 per cent increase.
• Al Jazirah State: 683 per cent increase.

The crisis is compounded by several factors that further threaten child survival and hinder progress on the SDGs:

• Lean Season: The period of food scarcity between harvests is increasing the risk of mass mortality, directly impacting SDG 2.
• Health System Collapse: Outbreaks of cholera and measles, coupled with failing health services, place immense strain on SDG 3 and threaten to reverse public health gains. The cholera outbreak also points to critical challenges related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Call to Action: A Plea for Global Partnership (SDG 17)

In response, UNICEF and its partners are providing life-saving interventions. However, the scale of the crisis requires a concerted international effort built on the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Urgent Requirements:

1. Unhindered Humanitarian Access: All parties to the conflict must allow immediate and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to reach affected populations, a prerequisite for addressing SDG 2 and SDG 3.
2. Cessation of Hostilities: Renewed diplomatic pressure is required to achieve a cessation of hostilities, which is fundamental to re-establishing the conditions for SDG 16 and enabling recovery.
3. Increased Funding: The international community is urged to provide an additional $200 million to sustain and expand essential nutrition services. This funding is critical for a partnership-based approach to prevent mass child mortality and salvage progress on the SDGs.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the crisis in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, highlights issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on child malnutrition, the impact of conflict on civilians and humanitarian aid, and the breakdown of health services touches upon the core principles of the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s central theme is the alarming rise in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses the deadly consequences of malnutrition, collapsing health services, and outbreaks of other diseases, all of which fall under this goal.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The root cause of the crisis is identified as “intensifying conflict,” which has led to displacement, attacks on civilians and aid workers, and a breakdown of order, directly relating to this goal.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The role of UNICEF, the call for international funding, and the need for diplomatic pressure and humanitarian access highlight the importance of partnerships to address the crisis.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific problems detailed in the article, several targets within the identified SDGs are relevant:

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.2: “By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age…” The article’s focus on the surge in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), which is the most severe form of wasting, directly addresses this target. The text states, “Children in Darfur are being starved by conflict,” making this target central to the crisis.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article explicitly states that SAM is the “deadliest form of malnutrition” and that children “face a high risk of death without proper treatment.” The crisis is described as increasing the “risk of mass child mortality,” making the prevention of these deaths a key challenge.
• Target 3.3: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.” The article mentions that “Cholera outbreaks, measles cases and collapsing health services are further aggravating the crisis,” which directly relates to the need to combat communicable and water-borne diseases.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article describes the context as one of “intensifying conflict,” where “entire neighborhoods have been besieged, hospitals targeted by airstrikes,” and “aid convoys have faced looting and violent attacks.” UNICEF’s call for a “cessation of hostilities” is a direct plea to achieve this target.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…” The article showcases the work of UNICEF and its partners and makes a direct appeal to “the international community for more lifesaving funds,” specifically an additional “$200 million,” which is a call to mobilize financial resources through global partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure the severity of the crisis and track progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG 2 (Target 2.2)

• Prevalence of acute malnutrition: The article states that the “rate of acute malnutrition has surpassed emergency levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 9 of the 13 localities across Darfur.”
• Number of children admitted for SAM treatment: Specific figures are provided, such as a “46 per cent increase in the number of children treated for SAM” across Darfur, and “over 40,000 children were admitted for SAM treatment in the first five months of the year” in North Darfur alone.
• Percentage increase in SAM admissions: The article provides comparative data, noting rises of “more than 70 per cent in North Kordofan, 174 per cent in Khartoum State and a staggering 683 per cent in Al Jazirah State.”

Indicators for SDG 3 (Targets 3.2 & 3.3)

• Risk of child mortality: While not a direct number, the article implies this as a key indicator by stating the “risk of mass child mortality” is increasing, especially with the onset of the “lean season.”
• Incidence of communicable diseases: The mention of “Cholera outbreaks, measles cases” serves as an indicator for Target 3.3. Tracking the number and spread of these cases would measure the situation.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Target 16.1)

• Level of humanitarian access: The article indicates a severe lack of access, noting it has been “nearly completely severed” in El Fasher and that UNICEF’s efforts to send aid “have been blocked.” The level of access is a key indicator of the conflict’s impact on civilians.
• Number of displaced persons: The article provides a specific figure: “nearly 400,000 people fled the Zamzam camp near El Fasher.” This is a direct indicator of the conflict’s human cost.
• Attacks on civilian infrastructure and aid: The mention of “hospitals targeted by airstrikes” and “aid convoys have faced looting and violent attacks” are qualitative indicators of the level of violence.

Indicators for SDG 17 (Target 17.16)

• Financial resources mobilized: The article specifies a clear financial indicator: the need for “an additional $200 million” to sustain nutrition services. Progress can be measured by the amount of this funding that is secured.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, particularly wasting in children under 5.	Rate of acute malnutrition surpassing WHO emergency levels. 46% increase in children treated for SAM in Darfur. Over 40,000 children admitted for SAM in North Darfur. Percentage increase in SAM admissions in other states (e.g., 683% in Al Jazirah).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.2: End preventable deaths of children under 5. 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases.	Increased risk of “mass child mortality” due to SAM. Presence of “Cholera outbreaks, measles cases.” Mention of “collapsing health services.”
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.	Humanitarian access being “nearly completely severed” or “blocked.” Number of displaced people (nearly 400,000 from one camp). Reports of hospitals being targeted and aid convoys being attacked.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, mobilizing financial resources.	Financial resources required: an appeal for an “additional $200 million.” Call for “unimpeded humanitarian access” through diplomatic pressure.

Source: news.un.org