The Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, Sudan, is facing a dire humanitarian crisis as ongoing violence, food shortages, and a crumbling healthcare system worsen the plight of its residents. Established to shelter those displaced by the conflict in Sudan, the camp has become a focal point of intense fighting, particularly since the conflict escalated in April 2025.

In a recent offensive, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a coordinated assault on the camp, employing heavy shelling, drone strikes, and ground attacks. The United Nations has reported at least 300 fatalities and the displacement of around 400,000 people in the aftermath of the attack. While the RSF claims the camp housed military forces aligned with the Sudanese army, humanitarian organizations have condemned the assault as an attack on vulnerable civilians already enduring severe famine conditions.

The humanitarian situation in the camp is further exacerbated by a significant funding shortfall for food assistance. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a severe funding gap, with \$698 million still needed out of the \$800 million required to provide aid to approximately seven million people in Sudan between May and September 2025. As a result, food aid, particularly for famine-prone areas like Zamzam, has been drastically reduced. Rations have been slashed to 70% of the standard daily intake, and essential food items such as cereals, pulses, and ready-to-use food may soon be unavailable.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been forced to halt outpatient treatment for 5,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition in Zamzam due to blockades that have prevented the delivery of necessary medical supplies. Among the affected children, 2,900 are in severe condition, and only MSF's 80-bed hospital remains functional to treat the most critically ill. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with the healthcare system on the brink of collapse.

The United Nations has condemned the attacks on Zamzam and called for unrestricted humanitarian access to the camp. However, the ongoing conflict and persistent blockades have severely hindered aid efforts, making it difficult for humanitarian organizations to provide the necessary support to those in need. The WFP has expressed concern that the funding shortfall could lead to catastrophic consequences for millions of Sudanese, particularly as the country enters its rainy and hunger seasons.

The crisis in Zamzam camp is a microcosm of the broader humanitarian disaster in Sudan, where years of conflict, ethnic violence, and economic collapse have left millions of people in desperate need of assistance. Without immediate international intervention and a significant increase in humanitarian support, the prospects for peace and recovery in Sudan remain bleak.