Sudan is facing a deepening famine crisis, driven by the devastating conflict between the military and paramilitary forces, which has aggravated the world's largest displacement situation. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), famine has been detected in five key areas of Sudan, shocking humanitarian observers. This includes the Zamzam camp, which hosts over 400,000 individuals and is the largest displacement camp in the North Darfur province.
The IPC report paints a grim picture of the current state of food security, highlighting, "This marks an unprecedented deepening and widening of the food and nutrition crisis, driven by the devastating conflict, which has triggered unprecedented mass displacement, a collapsing economy, the breakdown of social services, and severe societal disruptions. Aid access is critically impacted, making the situation even more dire for those affected by the war.
Reports indicate significant farming disruptions due to the conflict; displaced families frequently abandon crops, and many face resource destruction, with looting becoming rampant. The conditions for displaced households, particularly those settled in makeshift camps and public buildings, are especially grim as they are unlikely to benefit from harvests. The dilemma extends beyond North Darfur, with famine conditions potentially affecting other regions, including Khartoum and Gezira.
With the humanitarian situation continuing to worsen, IPC experts estimate around 638,000 people are currently experiencing famine conditions. Dervla Cleary, senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, emphasized, "The situation in Sudan is just awful. It is unacceptable in a world like today. We need the violence to stop so people can access food, water, health, nutrition, and agriculture." These powerful words encapsulate the urgent need for intervention and support for the beleaguered Sudanese population.
Sudan's 20-month conflict erupted back in April 2023 when tensions finally escalated between the military and the Rapid Support Forces. Since the outbreak of violence, the humanitarian toll has been staggering—over 24,000 lives have been lost, and 14 million people have been forced from their homes. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, creating significant challenges for both Sudan and its borders.
The economic ramifications of this turmoil are severe, with soaring food prices and dwindling market supplies leading to widespread hunger. Lack of humanitarian access remains another pressing concern, especially as conflicting forces limit aid operations. The IPC identified imminent famine threats in several key regions, including el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and other affected areas across the Nuba Mountains.
While the world watches as this crisis escalates, Sudan's government issued its suspension from participating in IPC reports, arguing these assessments undermine its sovereignty. Agriculture Minister Abu Baker al-Beshri criticized the IPC's findings as unreliable, intensifying skepticism about international reporting and accountability. An anonymous U.N. official noted, "Sudan's government accused the IPC of issuing unreliable reports, which complicates cooperative efforts to address the famine crisis."
The humanitarian community is calling for urgent action to mitigate the effects of this devastating crisis. The International Criminal Court is currently investigating claims of war crimes and crimes against humanity attributed to the conflict. Meanwhile, the IPC's comprehensive analysis serves as a global reference for monitoring food and nutrition crises, not only within Sudan but also beyond, as echoed reports warn of similar threats affecting Gaza's Palestinian population.
With the dire situation growing increasingly complex and dangerous, experts warn of the fatal consequences of prolonged violence and conflict. The IPC estimates over half of Sudan’s population, 24.6 million people, now faces high levels of acute food insecurity, underscoring the pressing need for immediate international attention. Since the crisis deepened, aid groups like the World Food Program struggle to reach vulnerable populations—time is of the essence as the world surveys this catastrophic chapter in Sudan’s history.
The people of Sudan find themselves at the mercy of violence, their futures hanging by the thread of humanitarian assistance. Action is needed now, and the call from aid organizations and the IPC reverberates through the international community: Peace must be restored to allow the return of stability, security, and most critically, access to life-saving food and resources.
