The World Food Programme has warned that Sudan is facing catastrophic hunger levels as conflict, aid funding cuts, and rising agricultural costs threaten to reverse recent progress made against famine. The war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year, has displaced millions and devastated much of the nation.
Massive humanitarian crisis with millions at risk
According to Reuters, aid agencies have repeatedly warned of worsening food insecurity and limited humanitarian access. Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with around 5 million people facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. Intensive aid efforts have reduced the number of people in famine-like conditions, but more than 100,000 remain at risk.
Carl Skau, the World Food Programme’s acting executive director, told Reuters: "It’s a massive crisis, both in terms of numbers, but also the gravity." He added: "With these kinds of numbers in IPC (Phase) 5 starvation it is extremely, extremely serious."
Across Sudan, nearly 19.5 million people face high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
Violence in North Kordofan and Darfur hampers aid
Recent fighting around al-Obeid in North Kordofan raised fears that the city could suffer a fate similar to al-Fashir in Darfur, where siege conditions have trapped civilians and blocked aid deliveries. Violence has eased in recent days, raising hopes that aid deliveries can expand from 100,000 to 250,000 people around al-Obeid.
Meanwhile, renewed fighting in Darfur has forced the closure of the Tine border crossing from Chad, cutting off a vital humanitarian route.
Aid cuts and funding gap worsen situation
The WFP has reduced the number of people it assists from 5 million a year ago to about 3.5 million. Rations have been cut in many areas, including Tawila in Darfur, due to a $646 million funding gap after cuts from major donors such as the United States, European countries, and Britain.
Skau warned: "We’re not heading in the right direction here. If anything, we are falling backwards."
Rising agricultural costs threaten food production
Sudan’s food security is further threatened by soaring diesel prices and fertiliser shortages linked to conflict in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Sudan relies heavily on fertiliser imports from Gulf countries, while much of its agriculture depends on irrigation pumps, which may now be too costly for farmers to run.
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worsening, with millions at risk of starvation unless aid funding is restored and agricultural challenges are addressed.
