Famine conditions in Sudan have spread to five areas and are expected to expand to five more by May, the global hunger monitor reported Tuesday. Humanitarian aid efforts remain severely hampered by ongoing conflict between warring factions, exacerbating one of the world’s worst hunger crises.
The Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine in Abu Shouk and al-Salam camps for displaced persons in al-Fashir, the besieged capital of North Darfur. Famine also persists in Zamzam camp and has been identified in communities in the Nuba Mountains.
The IPC, an independent organization backed by humanitarian and intergovernmental bodies, estimates that 24.6 million Sudanese—nearly half the population—will require urgent food aid by May, an increase from earlier projections.
Army Disruptions and Famine Denials
Sudan’s army controlled government has suspended participation in the IPC, claiming its reports undermine national sovereignty. Officials have disputed findings, arguing they lack updated data on malnutrition and crop productivity.
General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), locked in a brutal civil war since April 2023, have been accused of impeding aid delivery. The IPC report highlights that bureaucratic hurdles and security restrictions imposed by both sides have severely curtailed humanitarian efforts.
Only 10% of those in famine-affected areas received aid over the past three months, the IPC found. “We have the food, the trucks, and the personnel—what we lack is safe passage,” said Jean-Martin Bauer of the U.N.’s World Food Program.
Impact of Conflict
The conflict has decimated Sudan’s food supply chains, displaced over 12 million people, and led to widespread looting of resources. While the RSF denies allegations of looting, it acknowledges millions in its controlled areas face severe hunger.
Government-controlled visa delays for aid workers and pressure on NGOs to avoid working in Darfur, largely under RSF control, have further hampered relief efforts.
Global Call to Action
The IPC’s report underscores the urgency of resolving access restrictions to avert further catastrophe. Humanitarian officials warn that continued obstruction could lead to escalating famine conditions, threatening millions of lives.
This crisis demands immediate international attention and cooperation to deliver critical aid, stabilize affected regions, and address the underlying conflict fueling the crisis.