Hunger and sexual violence at unprecedented levels in Sudan according to World Vision report

NAIROBI (August 20, 2024) — A new report released today by global humanitarian organization World Vision reveals severe levels of hunger, a mental health crisis and high levels of gender-based violence in Sudan.

In April 2023, ongoing conflict escalated in Sudan, plunging the country into disarray and inducing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. Approximately 13 million people are displaced, fleeing violence in search of food, shelter, and safety. Over half of them are children. Sudan is now the worst displacement crisis in the world.

World Vision’s report Unprecedented hunger, mental health tragedy, and gender-based violence: The crisis for children and families in Sudan notes that 26 million people in Sudan — half of the population — are expected to experience acute food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition as a direct result of the ongoing conflict. One million of them are expected to face life-threatening, famine-like conditions between October and December 2024.

“Children are particularly affected by high rates of food insecurity and that is World Vision’s biggest concern in Sudan at the moment,” said John Makoni, World Vision’s national director in Sudan. “Nationwide, 4 million children under the age of 5 are expected to experience hunger by the end of 2024, and 730,000 are projected to experience severe acute malnutrition. The world can’t turn a blind eye any longer; the time to act is now,” added Makoni.

Additionally, hunger and conflict are rapidly fueling a mental health crisis: According to the report, an estimated 15.7 million children and their families in Sudan are at risk of mental disorders because of the interlinking crises of conflict and hunger.

“Recognizing the importance of mental health for resilience and recovery in crisis situations, World Vision is implementing mental health and psychosocial support programming, but the needs are greater than our resources,” said Phiona Koyiet, World Vision senior technical advisor for mental health and psychosocial support. “It’s not just about the immediate impacts either, but the long-term mental health impacts this crisis will have for a generation of Sudanese. An estimated 40% of people with severe mental illness are food insecure.”

The World Vision report also highlights that millions of women and girls in Sudan are at risk of gender-based violence due to the presence of armed combatants, the risks of displacement, weakened social and protective networks, and insufficient access to services.

“Communities [in Sudan are] more likely to resort to specific forms of gender-based violence, such as sexual exploitation and child marriage, to cope with insecurity and escalating humanitarian needs. It’s a very troubling trend that needs to be addressed immediately,” noted Koyiet.

World Vision is issuing an urgent call for immediate action to the international community. “The significant shortfall of international support is unacceptable,” says Makoni. “The global neglect of Sudan is a searing indictment of failed international solidarity and foresight. The situation in Sudan, and subsequent refugee flows, threaten to overwhelm the entire East African region and beyond. The opportunity to turn the tide on this humanitarian crisis is rapidly closing, and urgent, concerted action is needed to protect the next generation of Sudanese children.”

ENDS.

Report available to download here

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit worldvision.org or follow on the social platform X, @WorldVisionUSA.