Half of Sudan’s population faces the worst hunger levels on record

Action Against Hunger is alarmed and concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the result of more than 14 months of conflict that has devastated food and nutrition security in the country. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released today, Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded.

The recent report highlights that 755,000 people are in disaster (IPC Phase 5) or famine conditions in ten states, including the five states of Greater Darfur, as well as South and North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Al Jazirah and Khartoum. In addition, 8.5 million people are in emergency situations (IPC Phase 4), and there is a real risk of famine in 14 areas if the conflict escalates.

“We are deeply shocked by the dire situation affecting millions of Sudanese,” says Samy Guessabi, Director of Action contre la Faim in Sudan. Escalating conflict and use of Hunger as weapon of war have led to an unprecedented deterioration in food security, with more than 25.6 million people (more than half of the country’s population) expected to face crisis or worse conditions (IPC Phase 3 or higher) between June and September 2024, which coincides with the lean season. “This situation is especially critical for populations trapped in conflict zones and without access to protection,” Guessabi adds.

Food insecurity has been exacerbated by the duration of the conflict restricting movement and access to markets and basic services, as well as the destruction of agricultural areas, the world’s worst internal displacement crisis, with more than 10 million people displaced and more than 2 million refugees fleeing to other countries, as well as inflation and rising food prices, which have increased by up to 296% for some commodities.

Action contre la Faim is urgently appealing to governments, international organizations and donors to increase their support and solidarity with Sudan. “The magnitude of this crisis requires a coordinated and sustained response to avoid an even greater humanitarian catastrophe,” appeals Samy Guessabi.

Action contre la Faim is working in Sudan since 2018 and has intensified its efforts since the start of the conflict. Operating in White Nile, Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Central Darfur, it supported nearly 500 000 people last year. Despite difficult security conditions, the organization continues to provide food assistance, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services and protection, especially to women and girls, as they face increased risk of gender-based and sexual violence when trying to access resources and humanitarian aid.