Sudan faces rising famine risk, warns UK and 31 partners

The United Kingdom and 31 international partners have issued a joint warning regarding the alarming deterioration of food security in Sudan. Approximately 19.5 million people are currently facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 41% of the population affected. Among them, five million people are experiencing hunger levels classified as an emergency.

Experts warn that without immediate intervention, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed 825,000. Additionally, the number of regions affected by food insecurity, currently estimated at 14, could double.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, is identified as the primary driver of the crisis. The war has displaced over 14 million people and damaged essential infrastructure, including healthcare, agriculture, and supply chains. The situation is further compounded by systematic obstacles to humanitarian aid and the effects of El Niño, which has caused drought across more than half of the country.