The famine crisis in Sudan is reaching alarming new heights, with reports indicating the situation is poised to worsen before it gets any brighter. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently confirmed famine conditions across several regions of the country, particularly affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations caught amid violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Officials from the IPC stated on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, famine conditions were confirmed at Zamzam camp, the largest IDP camp located in North Darfur, as well as additional camps such as Abu Shouk and al-Salam. The rapidly deteriorated food security conditions coincide with the civil war's escalation, which has left more than 24.6 million Sudanese entangled in dire need of humanitarian assistance. This staggering figure translates to over 50% of the country’s population, intensifying the urgency for aid.
The grim findings show famine has been officially recognized at least as early as August, with the IPC indicating targeted areas are expected to expand. They predict famine may extend to five more regions — Um Kadadah, Melit, al-Fashir, Tawisha, and al-Lait — by May 2025. Alarmingly, these projections highlight the potential for famine-like conditions to spread to seven additional areas across Sudan.
To exacerbate the issue, the Sudanese government recently announced it would suspend its participation in the global hunger-monitoring system. Agriculture Minister Abu Baker al-Beshri criticized the IPC's reports as "unreliable" and suggested they undermine Sudan's sovereignty and dignity. Such decisions hamper the analysis of the urgent food insecurity situation, as the IPC's reports aim to identify regions most at risk, allowing humanitarian organizations to react swiftly.
The civil war, which erupted amid tensions within the Sudanese military after April 2023, has resulted in alarming death tolls and displacements, with estimates of over 14 million people driven from their homes. The conflict is not only characterized by inter-faction violence but also by looting and the destruction of agricultural resources, which contribute to soaring food prices and increased scarcity.
Humanitarian access continues to be severely restricted. Reports suggest the RSF has been implicated in looting commercial and humanitarian food supplies; they reportedly control large portions of the Darfur region, complicates food aid efforts. A UN official emphasized recent efforts by the World Food Programme to deliver assistance dangerously rely on access to affected communities, yet challenges persist.
"We have the food. We have the trucks on the road. We have the people on the ground. We just need safe passage to deliver assistance," stated Jean-Martin Bauer, director of food security and nutrition analysis for the UN's World Food Program. The urgency of the situation has drawn the attention of multiple international organizations, with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging for unhindered access to humanitarian aid and calling for immediate ceasefire to alleviate the crisis.
Reports also highlight increasing tensions between humanitarian organizations and the Sudanese government post-famine declaration, asserting bureaucratic obstacles have been deliberately placed to slow down responses and limit access to aid. Some aid workers have indicated warning signs, saying the government is discouraging assistance efforts within the Darfur region, claiming there are “no legitimate needs” there.
Despite these challenges, both UNICEF and the FAO articulated their commitment to increasing intervention efforts. UNICEF reported screening over 6.7 million children for malnutrition from January to November 2024, treating over 415,772 under-five children diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, the FAO has prioritized local food production and has provided over 5,000 metric tons of seeds to vulnerable households.
While these moves are necessary and well-meaning, the overall efficacy is threatened by continued conflict and lack of security to operate seamlessly. Seasonal harvests, usually expected to bolster food supplies, have been significantly impacted due to the violence, leading to predictions of increased food insecurity as the hunger season approaches before the next rains.
“A protracted famine is taking hold in Sudan,” Bauer warned. “People are getting weaker and weaker and are dying as they have had little to no access to food for months.” The precarious situation demands immediate and comprehensive international action to address the root issues and deliver assistance to those desperately needing help.
The international community stands at the brink of witnessing one of the worst hunger crises as the on-going conflict threatens to drive Sudan to the edge of starvation. Immediate humanitarian access and thorough, sustained international support are pivotal to easing the tensions and averting tragedies as millions hang on the precipice of despair.
