After the ousting of the former government in 2018, Sudan was on a path to economic growth and huge transitions in the country which would have a desperately needed impact on the life of vulnerable Sudanese communities. The military coup of October 2021 has shaken this path and the country remains in a precarious situation. Humanitarian needs across Sudan are now at record levels with an estimated 15.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. Protracted and new displacement, increasing risk of civilian safety, unprecedented spikes in acute food insecurity, floods, high inflation, and persistent disease outbreaks have fuelled this increase in needs.
According to the latest analysis, close to 11.7 million people will be acutely food insecure (IPC Phase 3 and up) this year. This has increased by almost 2 million people since last year. This is one of the contributing factors to a high level of acute and chronic malnutrition in the country. Over 4 million children under-five year and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) need treatment or prevention interventions for acute malnutrition.
Over one-third of acutely malnourished children live in the extreme or catastrophic scale for WASH, exposing them to heightened morbidity and mortality risks. These children make up part of the 5.5 million people who lack basic access to water and the 11.5 million people who need sanitation services including tools for proper hand washing like soap.
GlobalMedic is responding in Sudan by implementing preventative nutrition programs. This program is funded by an International Food Relief Partnership grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This program aims to reduce the risk of acute malnutrition in children under 5 through the provision of ready to use supplemental food (RUSF). Children participating in the program are screened and provided with a six month dose of Enov’Nutributter, which contains essential nutrients to prevent stunting in children who are not getting sufficient nutrition from their diets alone.
Recognizing the multi-sectoral causes of malnutrition, we are also distributing Family Emergency Kits which contain a household ceramic water purification unit. These units will provide access to clean drinking water for up to one year. The FEKs also contain basic hygiene items including soap, which is a critical tool in stopping the spread of communicable diseases, as well as a solar light.
