UNITED NATIONS - The ongoing conflict in Sudan between military and paramilitary forces has propelled the nation towards a dire humanitarian crisis, potentially making it the world's worst hunger-stricken region, according to a warning issued by the U.N. humanitarian office. With nearly one-third of Sudan's population, about 18 million people, already facing acute food insecurity, the situation is dire, particularly in the western Darfur region where malnutrition rates are soaring. Tragically, the crisis has already claimed the lives of children, with one child reportedly dying every two hours in Zamzam camp in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The conflict, which erupted last April, stems from long-standing tensions between Sudan's military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. While fighting initially broke out in the capital, Khartoum, it quickly spread to other areas, including urban centers and Darfur. In Darfur, the conflict has taken a particularly devastating turn, with brutal attacks by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces targeting ethnic African civilians, echoing the atrocities witnessed two decades ago.

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently stated that there are grounds to believe both sides in the current conflict are committing possible war crimes, crimes against humanity, or even genocide in Darfur. Despite these alarming developments, the crisis in Sudan has largely gone unnoticed on the international stage, overshadowed by conflicts elsewhere such as the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine.

The humanitarian situation in Sudan has been exacerbated by the destruction of farmland and disruption of food production due to the ongoing hostilities. Farmers have been forced to abandon their fields, leading to a drop in cereal production, particularly in Jazeera state, which is considered Sudan's breadbasket. As a result, the delivery of humanitarian aid has become crucial to prevent further escalation of the crisis. However, the U.N.'s appeal for $2.7 billion for Sudan remains largely unfunded, receiving only a fraction of the needed amount.

The lack of funding has severely hindered aid operations, exacerbating the suffering of millions of vulnerable people in Sudan and neighboring countries like South Sudan and Chad. In addition to the 18 million people facing acute food insecurity in Sudan, millions more in South Sudan and Chad are also at risk of hunger. Urgent action is needed to ensure unrestricted access for humanitarian agencies to reach those in need across conflict lines and borders.

Without sustained access and adequate resources, the situation is likely to worsen, particularly as Sudan approaches the lean season when food insecurity typically peaks. Efforts must be intensified to address the root causes of the conflict and provide humanitarian assistance to prevent Sudan from descending further into catastrophe. The upcoming high-level donors conference in Paris presents an opportunity to secure much-needed support and commitments to alleviate the suffering of millions facing hunger and malnutrition in Sudan.