The lives of Sudan’s children are at stake and urgent action is needed to protect an entire generation from malnutrition, disease and death, three United Nations agencies warned on Thursday.

All indications, the agencies said in a statement, point to a significant deterioration of the nutrition situation for children and mothers in war-torn Sudan.

A recent analysis conducted by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that the ongoing hostilities are worsening the drivers of child malnutrition.

These, it noted, include a lack of access to nutritious food, safe drinking water and sanitation, and increased risk of disease. The situation is compounded by massive population displacement; as large numbers of people flee the conflict.

“The lives of Sudan’s children are at stake and urgent action is needed to protect an entire generation from malnutrition, disease and death,” reads the statement.

Over 8.8 million people fled their homes since war broke out in Sudan in 2023.

Access to food remains the priority need of the displaced followed by healthcare, water, and sanitation services, particularly across Darfur and Kordofan regions.

“The ongoing hostilities are worsening the drivers of child malnutrition,” the agencies warned, further adding that “These include a lack of access to nutritious food, safe drinking water and sanitation, and increased risk of disease”.