Sudan’s Famine Deepens, According to Experts

An independent consortium of food security specialists reports that Sudan, currently affected by war, is experiencing a “widening famine crisis” characterized by escalating starvation and a sharp increase in acute malnutrition. These experts indicated that famine has now reached five regions, leaving approximately 24.6 million individuals—roughly half the nation’s population—in urgent need of food assistance. The ongoing hunger crisis stems from the 20-month civil war that has devastated Sudan. Multiple mediation attempts aimed at resolving the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have thus far been unsuccessful. The army and RSF initially collaborated in a 2021 coup, but a subsequent power struggle between their commanders led the country into civil war in 2023. This conflict has resulted in one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian crises, with the UN-backed Famine Review Committee (FRC) cautioning that a “greater catastrophe” could unfold if hostilities persist. This committee is affiliated with the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative involving UN agencies, aid organizations, and governments designed to identify famine conditions. On Monday, Sudan’s military-supported government declared a suspension of its collaboration with the group, alleging that it issues “unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity,” as reported by Reuters news agency. The IPC had initially identified a famine in August at the Zamzam camp in Sudan’s Darfur region, where approximately half a million people had sought refuge. The FRC’s most recent report stated that famine has now also impacted the Abu Shouk and al-Salam camps within Darfur’s besieged city of el-Fasher, in addition to two areas in South Kordofan state. “Famine is the most extreme manifestation of human suffering, representing a catastrophic collapse of the systems and resources essential for survival,” the FRC stated. It further added, “It is not merely a lack of food but a profound breakdown of health, livelihoods and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation.” The FRC projected that five additional areas in Darfur might face famine by May, with a risk of it spreading to 17 other regions. It also noted, “In areas of high conflict intensity, the hostilities severely disrupted farming activities, resulting in farmers abandoning their crops, looting and stock destruction.” Both Darfur and South Kordofan have endured some of the most intense violence, with numerous civilians killed, raped, and abducted by armed individuals. In May, US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello mentioned that some estimates indicated up to 150,000 people had been killed nationwide due to the conflict.