Sudan is facing an alarming famine crisis, with more than 24.6 million people—nearly half of the population—experiencing extreme food insecurity due to the brutal civil war and disruptions to humanitarian aid. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed on Tuesday the dire situation, showing famine conditions have been declared across five areas of the nation, including North Darfur's Zamzam camp and parts of the Western Nuba Mountains.
This famine, confirmed first in the summer of 2024, showcases the catastrophic repercussions of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted last April. The war has left citizens vulnerable and has triggered one of the world’s most significant displacement crises, with over 12 million people—about 25% of Sudan’s population—forced from their homes. Civilians are suffering immensely, with reports detailing killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of infrastructure such as healthcare and educational facilities.
The IPC's alarming report warns of even more areas—five additional ones—including North Darfur localities like Um Kadadah, Melit, El Fasher, At Tawisha, and Al Lait—projected to face famine within the next six months. These impending crises could push the number of people requiring urgent food assistance to even higher levels. The report classified about 8.1 million people currently facing emergency (IPC phase 4) conditions, with another 638,000 already at the dire phase 5 (catastrophe), where starvation and high mortality are prevalent.
This humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the disruption of agricultural production due to the conflict, which has forced farmers to abandon their crops or suffer looting and destruction of their assets. While some areas received significant rainfall, allowing for minimal harvests where security permitted, the overall production capabilities continue to dwindle under constant threat of violence.
The IPC report emphasized, "Famine is the most extreme manifestation of human suffering, representing a catastrophic collapse of the systems and resources necessary for survival." This dire statement captures the severity of the situation, indicating it is not simply about lacking food but rather reflects catastrophic failures across health, livelihoods, and social structures. Entire communities are submerged in despair.
The sheer scale of the food crisis is made grimmer with the spread of diseases like cholera, which thrive amid the breakdown of clean water and sanitation services. The International Criminal Court is investigating events of ethnic violence and atrocities committed during the conflict, but immediate relief appears stymied by insufficient access and overwhelming need.
Humanitarian access challenges underline the need for urgent action—the IPC has called upon national and international actors to enable unfettered humanitarian access and implement emergency assistance escalations. Rein Paulsen, Director of Emergencies and Resilience at the FAO, emphasized the necessity of immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access, stating, "Without immediate action, Sudan's crisis threatens to escalate... with millions more at risk."
The Sudanese government has complicated relief efforts, having suspended its cooperation with the IPC and accused the organization of misrepresenting the situation on the ground. This disregard for credible assessments could undermine relief efforts even more and hinder the assistance needed to address the growing hunger and humanitarian crisis.
Concerns have been raised by various humanitarian groups who argue for the necessity of increasing international intervention to combat widespread starvation conditions. Despite international mediation efforts, the power struggle rooted from the 2021 coup remains unresolved, leading to prolonged violence and instability. The collapse of agricultural systems, coupled with the suspension of humanitarian aid, marks one of the greatest humanitarian disasters, demanding urgent attention.
Echoing the dire need for collective action, Dervla Cleary, senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the FAO, stated, "The situation in Sudan is just awful. It is unacceptable in a world like today." The urgency cannot be overstated—not only lives are at stake but the very fabric of social structures is disintegrated as the humanitarian situation continues to spiral downward.
Across Sudan, meeting individual food needs, health provisions, and basic sanitation services remains key. The need for significant funding and international cooperation to address these urgent humanitarian needs is becoming increasingly acute. With calls for restoring safe and sustained humanitarian access, the international community is tasked with providing immediate support to prevent more severe outcomes.
Despite the power struggles and continuous fighting, it is imperative for all parties involved to enter discussions for peace and reconciliation. The global community must align its support behind humanitarian organizations and prioritize the most vulnerable populations—particularly children, who are bearing the brunt of this crisis. The time to act is now; millions hinge on significant changes to the conditions inhibiting both peace and aid access.
