The United Nations on Wednesday said “the already catastrophic situation" in Sudan has worsened since the last Security Council briefing just weeks ago and that famine is now a reality in several parts of the country.

The U.N. human rights chief warned of the risk of a further escalation of the war in Sudan on Thursday and said that there was a growing risk of deaths from starvation on a wide scale.

The United Nations called for global action Monday and $6 billion to fight famine and sexual violence in war-torn Sudan, where "civilians are paying the highest price" following nearly two years of conflict.