International Relief warns of worsening malnutrition in Mellit, North Darfur

August 23, 2025 (PEN) - The International Relief Organization warned of a worsening malnutrition crisis in Mellit locality, North Darfur, Sudan, noting that more than a third of children under five (34.2%) suffer from acute malnutrition, while 41.8% of children are classified as underweight, and nearly half of them (45.1%) suffered from diseases during the two weeks prior to the survey, most notably fever, respiratory infections, and diarrhea.

"This is the worst malnutrition rate I have ever seen," said Edith Muturi, WHO's technical advisor for health and nutrition. She added that thousands of children are at serious risk of deadly diseases and death, and that the humanitarian situation is being exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and aid access restrictions.

The organization explained that more than 80% of Mellit's population is suffering from "crisis" levels of food insecurity, while 20% are at risk of famine, and that the global acute malnutrition rate has risen from 27.9% to 34.2% in just 12 months.

The organization called for an immediate emergency response, including increasing therapeutic food supplies, expanding supplementary feeding programs, and increasing medical personnel and supplies, while ensuring safe and sustainable access to humanitarian aid.

"The international community must act immediately to provide the necessary support and allow safe access for aid to affected communities," said Kashif Shafiq, director of the organization's Sudan office. "Sudan's children deserve a future."