Sudan on the Brink of Widespread Famine Amid Civil War

Sudan’s ongoing civil war has plunged the country into a deepening famine crisis, with millions of lives at risk due to worsening starvation and malnutrition. 

Independent food security experts from the Famine Review Committee (FRC) warn that famine conditions have spread to five areas, leaving 24.6 million people—nearly half of Sudan’s population—in urgent need of food aid.  

The crisis, exacerbated by a 20-month conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Despite international mediation efforts, the power struggle that began after the two groups staged a joint coup in 2021 continues to escalate, leaving the nation in turmoil.  

The FRC, part of the UN-backed Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC), first declared famine in August at the Zamzam camp in Darfur, where over 500,000 people had sought refuge. Its latest report reveals that famine has now reached the Abu Shouk and al-Salam camps in Darfur’s embattled city of El-Fasher, as well as two areas in South Kordofan state.  

“Famine is the most extreme manifestation of human suffering, representing a catastrophic collapse of the systems and resources essential for survival,” the FRC stated. “It is not merely a lack of food but a profound breakdown of health, livelihoods, and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation.”  

The committee warned that five additional areas in Darfur could face famine by May 2025, with the risk of famine spreading to 17 other regions.  

The civil war has devastated agricultural production, with hostilities forcing farmers to abandon crops and livestock. Looting, destruction of stocks, and widespread violence have crippled livelihoods, particularly in Darfur and South Kordofan, where some of the worst atrocities have been reported.  

Civilians have been caught in the crossfire, with reports of killings, rapes, and abductions rampant across these regions. The conflict has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives, according to U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello.  

On Monday, Sudan’s military-backed government announced it would suspend cooperation with the IPC, accusing it of publishing “unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity,” according to Reuters. The move has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups, who argue that downplaying the severity of the crisis could hinder international relief efforts.  

### **A Call for Action**  

The UN and humanitarian agencies have called for immediate international intervention to address the famine crisis. However, with no end to the conflict in sight, experts warn that the situation could deteriorate further, leading to a “greater catastrophe” unless urgent action is taken.  

The hunger crisis underscores the human cost of Sudan’s prolonged conflict, leaving millions at the mercy of violence, displacement, and starvation. As the country’s social and economic systems continue to collapse, the need for a lasting resolution to the war grows ever more urgent.  

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