The World Food Programme (WFP) said on February 27 that it was forced to temporarily suspend aid distribution in the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur state, western Sudan, which is suffering from severe famine.

WFP officials explained that fierce fighting between Sudanese government troops and RSF paramilitary forces forced them to stop operations in the area, even though the consequences could be dire for the population.

“Without immediate assistance, thousands of desperate families in Zamzam could starve to death in the coming weeks,” said Laurent Bukera, regional director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Zamzam camp is 12 km (6.5 mi) south of El Fasher in North Darfur, which has been besieged by the RSF for months. It is home to half a million people and is the largest camp in the Darfur region for people displaced by fighting.

WFP has been providing food to some 300,000 residents of Zamzam camp, but they and their partners have only reached 60,000 people this month due to heavy shelling. One attack destroyed the market in the center of the camp, pushing residents further away from food and essential supplies.

Edem Wosornu, the UN humanitarian chief, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday (February 26) that satellite imagery confirmed the use of heavy weapons in and around Zamzam camp in recent weeks.

“Terrifyingly frightened residents, including aid workers, were unable to leave the area when the fighting became most intense,” Ms Wosornu said.

The WFP move comes after medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) decided to suspend its operations at the camp earlier this week. Famine struck Zamzam refugee camp in August last year and spread to two other camps.

Nguyen Khanh (according to DW, AP, Middle East Monitor)