WHO chief: Severe malnutrition in Sudan rises by 14 percent compared to '25

GENEVA, Feb 11 (KUNA) -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus warned Wednesday of a sharp rise in severe malnutrition in Sudan, stressing that an estimated 4.2 million people could be affected by 2026 including more than 800,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition, a 14 percent increase compared to 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Ghebreyesus said, "The humanitarian situation is worsening due to the lack of sustained access to aid threatening the lives of millions of people".
He emphasized that ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities since the start of the conflict are "exacerbating the crisis".
Speaking to the latest International Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), he noted that "two new areas in North Darfur have surpassed thresholds for acute malnutrition, one of three key metrics used to determine famine", while famine conditions were previously confirmed in two other cities in November last year.
Ghebreyesus also revealed that WHO has verified "about 205 attacks on healthcare facilities resulting in 1,924 deaths and 529 injuries", underlining the urgent need to protect medical facilities and healthcare workers.
He called for intensified humanitarian efforts to provide food and medical aid to Sudan's most vulnerable populations, warning that "without urgent intervention the situation could escalate into a deeper humanitarian catastrophe. (end) imk.mt