Sudan is on the brink of a severe hunger crisis, exacerbated by ongoing conflict,funding cuts for aid, and soaring agricultural costs linked to global disruptions from the Iran war,according to senior official from the World Food Programme (WFP). Carl Skau,the acting executive director of WFP, emphasized the gravity of the situation,stating,“It’s a massive crisis, both in terms of numbers,but also due to the gravity.”
Currently,over 100,000 individuals in Sudan are experiencing famine-like conditions, classified at the highest level of the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Skau described the situation as “extremely, extremely serious,” highlighting that Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Approximately five million people are facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger, despite previous aid efforts that temporarily alleviated some famine conditions .
nearly 19.5 million people across Sudan are grappling with high levels of acute food insecurity . Recent clashes around el-Obeid in North Kordofan have raised alarms about potential for the city to mirror the fate of el-Fasher in Darfur, where civilians have been trapped and aid deliveries severely hindered. In el-Fasher,the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been implicated in mass killings and gang rapes during their ongoing conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
While violence has subsided somewhat in el-Obeid, there is cautious optimism that aid deliveries could increase from 100,000 to 250,000 people in the area. However,the WFP is increasingly alarmed by renewed fighting in Darfur,which has led to the closure of the Tine border crossing,a crucial route from Chad into the region. This resurgence of conflict threatens to undo the progress made in combating famine in various parts of Sudan.
In past year,the WFP has reduced its assistance from five million people to approximately 3.5 million . Ration sizes have also been cut in many regions, including Tawila in Darfur, due to a significant funding shortfall of $646 million . Major donors,including the United States,European nations, and Britain, have slashed their contributions, prompting Skau to express concern: “We’re not heading in the right direction here. If anything,we are falling backwards.”
The situation is further complicated by rising diesel prices and shortage of fertilizers, both of which are critical for Sudan’s agricultural sector. The conflict in the Gulf and the closure of Strait of Hormuz have disrupted fertilizer shipments,making it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain their crops during the planting season. Sudan relies heavily on imports from Gulf countries for fertilizers,and many farmers may find it prohibitively expensive to operate irrigation pumps.
The ongoing war between the SAF and RSF, now entering its fourth year,has displaced millions and wreaked havoc across the nation. Aid organizations have repeatedly warned of escalating food insecurity and limited humanitarian access,as conflict continues to disrupt essential services and supply chains.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community faces mounting pressure to respond effectively. The WFP’s dire warnings serve as a call to action for renewed support and intervention to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Sudan.
