Key facts
- Sudan is at risk of a deeper hunger crisis due to ongoing conflict, aid funding cuts, and rising agricultural costs.
- Approximately 5 million people in Sudan are experiencing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.
- Over 100,000 individuals are in IPC Phase 5 starvation conditions, the highest level of the UN hunger classification.
- The World Food Programme has reduced its assistance to 3.5 million people from 5 million due to a $646 million funding gap.
- Disruptions linked to conflict in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are increasing diesel prices and fertilizer shortages, impacting Sudan's planting season.
Sudan is facing a severe and worsening hunger crisis, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning that conflict, reduced aid funding, and rising agricultural costs driven by global disruptions could push the country into deeper food insecurity. The ongoing war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has displaced millions and devastated the nation's infrastructure.
According to Carl Skau, the WFP's acting executive director, Sudan is experiencing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with approximately 5 million people facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. More than 100,000 individuals are in the highest classification of hunger (IPC Phase 5), indicating famine-like conditions. Nearly 19.5 million people overall face high levels of acute food insecurity.
Recent fighting around al-Obeid has raised concerns about a potential famine similar to that seen in al-Fashir, though a slight easing of violence has created hope for expanded aid deliveries. However, renewed fighting in Darfur has closed the Tine border crossing, a crucial aid route from Chad.
The WFP has had to reduce its assistance from 5 million people a year ago to about 3.5 million and has cut rations due to a significant $646 million funding gap, exacerbated by funding cuts from major donors like the United States, European countries, and Britain. Skau stated that the situation is moving in the wrong direction, with the country falling backward.
Furthermore, Skau warned that soaring diesel prices and fertilizer shortages, linked to conflicts in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, could severely impact Sudan's current planting season. The country relies heavily on fertilizer imports from Gulf nations, and high fuel costs may make it too expensive for farmers to operate irrigation pumps, further jeopardizing food production.