Sudan’s Nuba Mountains on Brink of Humanitarian Catastrophe

A rebel group in Sudan's Nuba Mountains and parts of Blue Nile state reports severe hunger affecting 20% of families and 30% of children, describing the situation as akin to a famine. The ongoing civil war and poor harvests have exacerbated the crisis, affecting millions of people and blocking essential aid.

A rebel group controlling Sudan's Nuba Mountains and parts of Blue Nile state reported a dire hunger crisis on Wednesday. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) indicated that 20% of families suffer severe food shortages and 30% of children are malnourished, describing the situation as a famine.

The group blamed the crisis on the parties involved in Sudan's civil war and a poor harvest. According to the SPLM-N, the situation in these regions is the most severe compared to other states, with dwindling food supplies rapidly depleting among the host communities.

Approximately 3.9 million people reside in the territories controlled by SPLM-N, with numbers increasing due to displacement from other areas. The ongoing conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused widespread food insecurity, affecting half of Sudan's 50 million population.

According to a global hunger monitor, 756,000 people across Sudan face catastrophic hunger. Both the army and RSF have been accused of obstructing aid, damaging food infrastructure, and markets. The SPLM-N also accused the army-aligned government in Port Sudan of selling off aid meant for the area, while RSF has been closing markets and targeting civilian villages.

The army and RSF have yet to respond to requests for comment on these allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)