Melit, August 24(Darfur 24)
Save the Children said on Saturday that 34% of children in Mellit, North Darfur, suffer from acute malnutrition, according to the results of a survey it conducted last month.
Aid trucks were bombed in Mellit, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces, on Thursday, with both sides trading accusations of launching the attac
In a statement obtained by Darfur 24, the International Relief Organization said that survey results showed that 34.2% of children in Mellit suffer from acute malnutrition.
It indicated that thousands of children under the age of five in the locality are at risk of serious illness and death.
It stated that the survey showed that 41.8% of children are underweight, while the disease incidence rate reached 45.1%.
It indicated that the survey reveals that the malnutrition crisis is worsening at an alarming rate, with the rate of acute malnutrition among children under the age of five in Mellit rising from 27.9% to 34.2% in just one year.
“This is the worst malnutrition rate I have ever seen,” said Edith Mutteri, the organization’s technical advisor for health and nutrition.
She added: “Communities across Sudan are suffering from levels of malnutrition that have gone beyond the danger level. Acute malnutrition rates exceeding 15% indicate a food emergency, let alone a rate exceeding 30%.”
The United Nations says Darfur is facing a horrific humanitarian crisis, with 79% of its population in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.