"The consequences of the past 300 days means that more than
700,000 children are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of
malnutrition this year," James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF,
told a press conference in Geneva.
"UNICEF won't be able to treat more than 300,000 of those
without improved access and without additional support. In that
case, tens of thousands would likely die."
Elder defined the most dangerous form of malnutrition as severe
acute malnutrition, which makes a child 10 more likely to die
from diseases such as cholera and malaria. He said 3.5 million
children were projected to suffer acute malnutrition.
UNICEF provides "ready-to-use therapeutic food", or RUTF, a
life-saving food item that treats severe wasting in children
under five years old, to Sudan.
UNICEF is appealing for $840 million to help just over 7.5
million children in Sudan this year, but Elder deplored the lack
of funds collected in previous appeals.
"Despite the magnitude of needs, last year the funding UNICEF
sought for nearly three-quarters of children in Sudan was not
forthcoming," Elder said.
The United Nations on Wednesday urged countries not to forget
the civilians caught up in the war in Sudan, appealing for $4.1
billion to meet their humanitarian needs and support those who
have fled to neighboring countries.
Half of Sudan's population - around 25 million people - need
humanitarian assistance and protection, while more than 1.5
million people have fled to the Central African Republic, Chad,
Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the United
Nations.
(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Alison
Williams)
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