The United Nations is sounding the alarm on a potential famine in Sudan.
In a note to the Security Council, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warned of “catastrophic food insecurity” for nearly five million people in the war-torn nation.
This impending crisis is fueled by a brutal conflict that erupted in April 2023.
The fighting between the Sudanese army and rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has had a devastating impact on agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Disruptions to trade and skyrocketing prices are further exacerbating the problem.
“Without urgent humanitarian assistance,” wrote Griffiths, “almost 5 million people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity” in the coming months.
He identified West and Central Darfur as particularly at risk, with the approaching lean season and worsening security likely pushing them into famine conditions.
The situation for children is especially dire. Nearly 730,000 Sudanese children, including over 240,000 in Darfur, are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
“An unprecedented surge” in treating the most lethal form of malnutrition, severe wasting, is already underway in inaccessible areas.
The conflict has displaced an estimated 8 million people and pushed nearly half of Sudan’s population, some 25 million individuals, to rely on humanitarian aid.
A 2018 Security Council resolution mandates the UN Secretary-General report situations with a “risk of conflict-induced famine” to the Security Council.
Griffiths emphasized the significant challenges faced by humanitarian organizations.
Over 1,000 incidents hindering aid delivery have been reported since the war began, with 71% stemming directly from the conflict or intentional violence against aid workers and resources.