23 children die of malnutrition within a month in Sudan’s Kordofan region – AP News

Report on the Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis, leading to a catastrophic regression in the nation’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fierce fighting between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in mass casualties, widespread displacement, and the onset of famine, particularly in the Kordofan and Darfur regions. This report details the conflict’s direct impact on key SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Violations of Core Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The conflict has created a food security emergency, directly undermining the goal of Zero Hunger. The weaponization of hunger through blockades and the disruption of supply chains has led to widespread malnutrition and famine.

• Child Malnutrition Fatalities: In a one-month period (October 20 – November 20), 23 children died from causes related to severe acute malnutrition in the Kordofan region.
• Famine Conditions: Famine has been officially declared in Kadugli, South Kordofan. As of September, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported:
  1. Approximately 370,000 people are experiencing famine (IPC Phase 5) in Kordofan and Darfur.
  2. An additional 3.6 million people are one step away from famine (IPC Phase 4) in the same regions.
• Humanitarian Blockades: The RSF has besieged cities like Kadugli, preventing the entry of essential food and medical supplies, which directly contributes to the rising death toll from starvation.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The war has decimated Sudan’s healthcare infrastructure and created a public health disaster, representing a severe setback for SDG 3.

• Mass Casualties: Official United Nations figures report over 40,000 fatalities, though aid groups suggest the actual number is significantly higher.
• Attacks on Healthcare: The RSF attack on the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher resulted in the deaths of over 450 people, a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a direct assault on critical health infrastructure.
• Supply Shortages: A critical shortage of essential medical supplies, exacerbated by blockades, is a primary factor in preventable deaths, including those of the 23 children in Kordofan.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The conflict signifies a total collapse of peace, justice, and institutional stability, which is the foundation of SDG 16. The fighting is characterized by widespread atrocities and a lack of accountability.

• Mass Displacement: The war has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, forcibly displacing over 14 million people from their homes.
• War Crimes and Atrocities: Reports from el-Fasher indicate systematic violence by RSF fighters, including:
  1. House-to-house killings of civilians.
  2. Widespread commission of sexual assaults.
  3. Mass killings at multiple locations, including the Saudi Hospital.
• Concealment of Evidence: Satellite imagery analyzed by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab suggests ongoing efforts by the RSF to dispose of corpses in el-Fasher, likely to conceal the scale of mass killings. This action undermines any prospect of justice and accountability for victims.

Regional Impact and Escalation of Violence

Focus on Kordofan and Darfur

Fighting has intensified in the Kordofan and Darfur regions as the RSF consolidates control. After being forced from Khartoum, the RSF focused its resources on capturing territory, culminating in the seizure of el-Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in Darfur. The HRL report raises significant concerns that most civilians who were in el-Fasher prior to the RSF attack on October 26 “have been killed, have died, are detained, are in hiding, have fled, or are otherwise unable to move freely,” indicating a failure to protect non-combatants and a complete breakdown of societal structures essential for achieving any of the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several critical issues in Sudan, primarily stemming from a devastating war. These issues directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article extensively discusses famine, malnutrition, and food shortages. It explicitly states that “famine is spreading,” “23 children died of malnutrition-related causes,” and that there are “shortages of essential supplies,” including food.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The widespread death and health crises are central themes. The article reports on the deaths of children, a total death toll of over 40,000, and a direct attack on a hospital (“RSF fighters rampaged through the Saudi Hospital… killing more than 450 people”), which severely undermines health infrastructure and services.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The root cause of the humanitarian crisis is the “fierce fighting” and “devastating war” between the military and a paramilitary group. The article details the consequences of this conflict, including mass killings, atrocities, sexual assaults, and the forced displacement of millions, all of which represent a complete breakdown of peace and security.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific details provided in the article, the following SDG targets are directly relevant:

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article shows a severe regression from this target, stating that “About 370,000 people had been pushed into famine” and a blockade “prevents the entry of food.”
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons. The death of “23 children… a result of severe acute malnutrition” directly relates to the failure to meet this target.
2. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The report that “Almost two dozen children died of malnutrition-related causes within a month” is a clear indicator of the failure to protect children from preventable deaths.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The attack on the Saudi Hospital and the killing of civilians and staff demonstrate a catastrophic failure to protect health infrastructure and manage health risks during a conflict.
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article’s core subject is the failure to meet this target, evidenced by the statement that the war has “killed more than 40,000 people” and reports of “mass killings,” “atrocities,” and fighters going “house to house, killing civilians.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several specific data points and qualitative descriptions that serve as direct indicators for measuring the status of the identified targets.

• For SDG 2 Targets:
  • Prevalence of undernourishment/famine: The article provides the figure that “About 370,000 people had been pushed into famine” and “another 3.6 million people one step from famine.” This is a direct measure for Target 2.1.
  • Prevalence of malnutrition (wasting) in children under 5: The death of 23 children from “severe acute malnutrition” is a critical, albeit tragic, indicator for Target 2.2.
• For SDG 3 Targets:
  • Under-5 mortality rate: The specific number of “23 children” dying within a month in a specific region serves as a micro-level indicator for Target 3.2.
  • Attacks on health facilities: The report of RSF fighters rampaging through “the Saudi Hospital… killing more than 450 people” is a clear indicator related to the security of health systems under Target 3.d.
• For SDG 16 Targets:
  • Number of conflict-related deaths: The figure “more than 40,000 people” killed is a direct indicator for Target 16.1.
  • Number of internally displaced persons: The statement that the crisis created “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 14 million people forced to flee their homes” is an indicator of the conflict’s scale and impact on civilians.
  • Reports of violence: Descriptions of “atrocities,” “mass killings,” and “sexual assaults” are qualitative indicators of the extreme levels of violence.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yahoo.com