The situation has deteriorated drastically for the people of Sudan. Now UNICEF is sounding the alarm that more must be done to prevent children from dying from acute malnutrition.
"As the conflict in Sudan rages, the situation for children continues to become more devastating by the day. They are the future of Sudan and we cannot stand by and watch their lives shattered by the violence," said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Over 620,000 children in Sudan are estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition. UNICEF says half of them could die if they do not receive immediate care.
Looting of food supplies
At the same time, the efforts of the international community are making progress. This week, the World Food Programme managed to deliver food to 15,000 people in areas controlled by both sides in Khartoum. In total, since May 3, it has managed to provide food to 725,000 people across the country. Access to food will continue to be uncertain, according to the UN. 17 000 tonnes of UN food supplies have been lost due to massive looting.
"More children than ever before in Sudan need life-saving help. An overwhelming 13.6 million children need urgent assistance. That's more than the entire population of Sweden, or Rwanda or Portugal. All the children, and the number is rising," UNICEF spokesman James Elder said during a press briefing in Geneva.
Peace negotiations paused
Khartoum's largest orphanage, state-run Mygoma, receives hundreds of children and has the youngest deaths. Due to the conflict and lack of staff, infants are not getting enough food. Since the war broke out just over six weeks ago, more than 50 children have died at the orphanage, staff told Reuters.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have acted as mediators between the parties, but a Sudanese government source told AFP and Reuters news agencies on Wednesday that peace talks had been paused.
Watch the doctor at the orphanage tell in the clip above.