New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- In two camps for displaced people in Eastern Jebel Marra, South Darfur, a survey found acute malnutrition in 38 per cent and 30.8 per cent of children, figures the United Nations describes as above the threshold for famine. No famine has been declared.

the IPC's Famine Review Committee said there is not enough survey data for a full analysis, while saying the evidence points to a rapidly worsening situation.

That gap between evidence and declaration is the story. Across Greater Darfur, 13 of 17 nutrition surveys carried out since January found critical levels of acute malnutrition. In Nyala, the share of children seeking help who needed treatment for severe acute malnutrition more than doubled between January and A...