At a Glance

• Conflict and severe drought are worsening hunger across Darfur and Kordofan.
• Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan faced acute food insecurity in May.
• Aid agencies warn that malnutrition and deaths could rise without increased assistance.

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Conflict and severe drought are worsening food insecurity across Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warning that conditions are deteriorating in areas at risk of famine and calling for a significant increase in humanitarian assistance.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Humanitarian Warning: “Food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and excess mortality will likely intensify” without a rapid and significant increase in assistance. — IPC
• Drought Impact: "Severe drought linked to El Nino is affecting more than half of Sudan, contributing to crop failures and loss of household income." — IPC
• Focus Area: Conflict, drought, and restricted humanitarian relief are deepening Sudan’s hunger crisis.

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Millions Face Acute Food Insecurity

An IPC assessment found that nearly 19.5 million people, representing more than 40% of Sudan’s population, faced high levels of acute food insecurity in May. Around 135,000 people were classified in Phase 5, the IPC’s most severe category, associated with extreme food shortages, starvation, acute malnutrition, and deaths.

The latest assessment warned of worsening humanitarian conditions across greater Darfur and Kordofan, including areas previously identified as being at risk of famine.

Drought Damages Crops and Livelihoods

Severe drought associated with El Niño has affected more than half of Sudan, causing localized crop failures and reducing food supplies and household income.

Poor crop growth has affected 64% of cultivated land in North Darfur and about half of cropland in South Darfur, West Kordofan, and South Kordofan, according to the IPC.

In North Darfur, delayed rainfall and critically low food stocks have compounded the crisis. Western Kordofan is experiencing one of its worst droughts since 2004, based on rainfall levels cited by the monitoring group.

Malnutrition Concerns Grow

The IPC reported worsening acute malnutrition in additional areas, including Nyala in South Darfur. Among children accessing nutrition services there, the proportion admitted for severe acute malnutrition rose from approximately 5% in January to 11% in August.

Two displacement camps in South Darfur also recorded global acute malnutrition rates above famine thresholds, the IPC said.

Farmers have increasingly relied on humanitarian assistance as conflict and drought undermine their livelihoods. Aid organizations have warned that conditions could deteriorate further without greater and sustained support.

War and New Violence Add to the Crisis

Sudan’s war began in April 2023 after fighting erupted between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum before spreading across the country.

Conflict monitor ACLED estimates that at least 150,000 people have been killed, although aid groups say the actual toll may be higher. The war has also displaced approximately 13 million people and pushed parts of the country into famine.

In a separate incident, local rights group Emergency Lawyers said an airstrike killed at least 72 civilian miners in Sudan’s North Wadi border area near Egypt. The group alleged, without providing evidence, that Egyptian warplanes carried out the attack.

Egypt’s armed forces later announced a new campaign against illegal mining in the Eastern Desert, saying warning leaflets had been dropped on civilians. The statement did not provide further details about the reported miners’ deaths.

Separately, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said two Egyptian truck drivers were killed in Khartoum after a gunman opened fire. The ministry said authorities had apprehended the suspected shooter.

FYI

Sudan’s conflict has severely disrupted agriculture, trade, and humanitarian operations. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, while insecurity and damaged infrastructure have made it harder to deliver food and medical supplies to communities in need.

Humanitarian organizations say an end to the fighting and safe, sustained access for aid workers are essential to preventing further deterioration in food security and nutrition across the country.

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