The United Nations (UN) has declared the humanitarian crisis in Sudan a disaster, amidst suffering and hardship from nearly 16 months of conflict between opposing factions.

The Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wosornu, criticized the obstruction of essential supplies that endangers the lives of malnourished children in North Darfur, Sudan during a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

Stephen Omollo, the Assistant Executive Director for Workplace and Management, announced that the Famine Review Committee has determined that famine exists in the Zamzam camp, located near El Fasher in North Darfur.

He mentioned that they cautioned that aid organizations were being prevented from reaching crucial areas of the country where food and other vital supplies are needed.

However, he noted that these warnings have gone unheeded.

Over 25.6 million individuals, which is more than half of Sudan’s population, are experiencing severe hunger.

The Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan this year is set at $2.7 billion, but it is less than one-third funded, having received only $872 million by early August, as reported by the United Nations.