An international aid worker has reported that all roads surrounding Sudan's famine-stricken Zamzam camp in North Darfur have been blocked, making the security situation for aid workers on the ground unbearable. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has suspended its activities in the camp due to safety concerns arising from intensified fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 20,000 people and forced over 14 million individuals from their homes, leading to famine in various parts of the country. MSF cited challenges in delivering supplies and ensuring the safety of its staff as reasons for halting operations in Zamzam Camp.
Recent incidents, including two MSF ambulances being shot at while transporting patients to El Fasher, have highlighted the dangers faced by aid workers. Tragically, one shooting resulted in the death of a woman accompanying her sister in the ambulance.
The dire conditions in Zamzam Camp have been exacerbated by the conflict, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) identifying the area as experiencing the worst form of hunger, known as IPC Phase 5. MSF has observed high rates of anemia among young children in the camp, with 34% of children screened during a recent vaccination campaign found to be suffering from acute malnutrition.
Zamzam Camp, home to around 500,000 people, has seen an influx of displaced families from areas such as Abu Zerega, Shagra, and Saluma. These families have recounted stories of violence, including killings, sexual assaults, looting, and beatings, both in their villages and on the roads to El Fasher.
While MSF intends to resume operations in Zamzam Camp in the future, the current high-risk environment has forced the organization to prioritize the safety of its teams. The suspension of activities has left the population without crucial support, as delivering food aid and supplies has become increasingly challenging due to inaccessible roads.
