A famine has been officially declared in the Zamzam displaced persons camp, located about 15 kilometers from El-Fasher in northern Darfur, marking a critical new low in the ongoing Sudan conflict.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) classified the food situation in Zamzam as a famine in a report released on August 1, making it the third officially declared famine in the IPC's 20-year history.

A famine is defined by the IPC as having at least 20% of the population consuming less than 2,100 calories per day, with 30% of children under five suffering from malnutrition and a mortality rate exceeding 2 in 10,000 people per day.

Zamzam is the largest refugee camp in Sudan, currently housing between 500,000 and 800,000 people, a significant increase from 300,000 in April.

Doctors Without Borders reported alarming conditions, stating that a child is starving every two hours in Zamzam, with mortality rates already above famine thresholds.

According to the UN, over 25 million of Sudan's 47 million residents are currently facing a hunger crisis, with projections of up to two million potential hunger-related deaths this year.

The overall situation in Sudan has deteriorated rapidly since late 2023, raising fears of worsening hunger conditions extending into 2025.

The IPC has indicated that many other areas in Sudan are likely experiencing similar conditions but have not yet been assessed due to ongoing security issues.

The Sudanese army frequently closes border crossings and highways, severely hindering food supply, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) plunder available resources.

Since April 2023, the RSF has been gradually seizing territory across Sudan, capturing most of Khartoum in the early months of the conflict.

In western Sudan, the RSF has conquered almost all cities in Darfur, with El-Fasher being the last provincial capital not under their control.

Edem Wosornu, a UN diplomat from Ghana, has warned the international community about its failure to prevent famine during a recent UN Security Council meeting.