Malha, September 01 (Darfur24)
The General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugee Camps has warned of a severe humanitarian crisis in Malha locality, North Darfur State, saying about 6,200 children are suffering from malnutrition, including 1,500 cases of severe acute malnutrition.
The coordination said the crisis has been exacerbated by the isolation of the area and the disruption of humanitarian assistance, leaving residents facing acute shortages of food, drinking water, medicines and healthcare.
Adam Rijal, spokesperson for the General Coordination, said about 1,350 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also suffering from malnutrition. He added that tuberculosis, anemia and diarrhea are widespread, while medicines are available only in limited quantities at a few pharmacies.
Rijal said the main road to Malha remains closed, cutting the area off from humanitarian assistance, with no humanitarian organizations currently operating there.
Displaced people are scattered across several locations and rely on unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Many are also facing shortages of shelter and other necessities.
The General Coordination called on the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations to urgently break Malha’s isolation and deploy emergency teams. It also urged the World Food Programme to provide food assistance, particularly for children and women.
Medical organizations called for emergency medical convoys to treat malnutrition and other diseases and provide healthcare for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The groups also urged the international community to press for the reopening of roads and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the area.
Malha, north of El Fasher, is among the areas of North Darfur facing worsening humanitarian conditions as the war continues to disrupt livelihoods, basic services and humanitarian access.