Overview

Sudan is currently experiencing one of the world’s most severe hunger emergencies, driven by ongoing conflict, mass displacement, economic collapse, and humanitarian access challenges. The crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with millions of people at risk of starvation and death. This situation is the result of a complex interplay of war, political instability, and environmental factors, and it is now considered one of the largest and most urgent food emergencies in the world.

Background and Context

Sudan, a country in northeastern Africa, has faced decades of conflict, including two civil wars, the secession of South Sudan in 2011, and ongoing violence between rival factions. The most recent conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated the country’s infrastructure, economy, and social fabric. Millions have been displaced from their homes, and entire communities have been cut off from basic services, including food, water, and healthcare.

The fighting has been particularly intense in urban centers like Khartoum and in the Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile regions. As a result, agricultural production has plummeted, markets have collapsed, and food prices have soared. The United Nations and other agencies have repeatedly warned that the country is on the brink of famine, and recent assessments confirm that famine conditions are already present in several areas.

The Scale of the Crisis

• Acute Hunger: Nearly 25 million people—over half the country’s population—are facing acute hunger, according to the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
• Famine Zones: Famine has been confirmed in several regions, including El Fasher in North Darfur and the Western Nuba Mountains. These areas are particularly difficult to access due to ongoing fighting and insecurity.
• Catastrophic Conditions: At least 1.2 million people are suffering from catastrophic, conflict-driven hunger (IPC Phase 5), meaning they are at immediate risk of starvation and death. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable.
• Displacement: Over 7 million people have been internally displaced, and more than 2 million have fled to neighboring countries as refugees. Displacement camps are overcrowded and lack adequate food, water, and sanitation.
• Access Issues: Many affected areas are extremely difficult for aid organizations to reach due to violence, roadblocks, and bureaucratic restrictions. Humanitarian convoys have been attacked or looted, and some regions are entirely cut off from outside assistance.

Causes of the Starvation Crisis

• Conflict: The ongoing war between the SAF and RSF has destroyed infrastructure, disrupted markets, and forced millions to flee their homes. Armed groups have targeted farms, food warehouses, and aid convoys, exacerbating shortages.
• Economic Collapse: Sudan’s economy has been in freefall, with hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and the collapse of public services. Many families can no longer afford basic food items, even when they are available in markets.
• Climate and Environmental Factors: Drought, erratic rainfall, and desertification have reduced agricultural yields. Flooding in some areas has further damaged crops and infrastructure.
• Humanitarian Access: Insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles, and targeted attacks on aid workers have severely limited the ability of humanitarian organizations to deliver food and medical assistance.

Human Impact

The human toll of the crisis is staggering. In famine-affected areas, families are surviving on wild leaves, roots, and whatever scraps they can find. Malnutrition rates among children have soared, with thousands at risk of dying from hunger-related causes. Hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed, lacking both staff and supplies. Many children are too weak to walk, and mothers are forced to make impossible choices about which child to feed.

Stories from the ground paint a grim picture: In El Fasher, families have buried loved ones who died of hunger. In the Western Nuba Mountains, aid workers report seeing children with distended bellies and hair turning orange from malnutrition. In displacement camps, people line up for hours in the hope of receiving a small ration of sorghum or lentils. The psychological toll is immense, as communities grapple with loss, uncertainty, and fear for the future.

Humanitarian Response

International organizations, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the International Committee of the Red Cross, are working to deliver life-saving food, water, and medical care. However, their efforts are hampered by insecurity, funding shortfalls, and access restrictions. Many aid agencies have called for urgent increases in funding and for all parties to the conflict to allow safe, unimpeded humanitarian access.

Despite these efforts, the scale of need far outstrips available resources. In some areas, aid deliveries have been suspended due to violence or looting. Humanitarian workers face daily risks, and some have been killed while trying to reach those in need. The United Nations has warned that, without immediate action, tens of thousands more could die in the coming months.

International Response and Calls for Action

The international community has condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The United Nations Security Council, African Union, and regional organizations have urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. Donor countries have pledged additional funding, but much more is needed to avert a full-scale catastrophe.

Advocacy groups are calling for:

• An immediate ceasefire and negotiated political solution to the conflict.
• Unrestricted humanitarian access to all affected areas.
• Increased funding for emergency food, nutrition, and health programs.
• Long-term investments in agriculture, livelihoods, and resilience to help communities recover.

The Outlook: What’s Needed

The outlook for Sudan remains dire. Without a lasting peace and a massive scale-up of humanitarian assistance, the risk of mass starvation and death will continue to grow. Experts warn that the window to prevent further catastrophe is closing fast. Only an end to the conflict, combined with sustained international support, can halt the spiraling hunger and give Sudan’s people a chance to rebuild their lives.

Sources and Further Reading

• Food Security Information Network (FSIN)
• European Commission Joint Research Centre
• World Food Programme
• Plan Canada
• WFP: Sudan Emergency
• IPC: Sudan Acute Food Insecurity
• Plan Canada: Children starve as famine risk persists in Sudan
• Joint Research Centre: Food crises 2025

This file provides an in-depth summary of the starvation crisis in Sudan as of September 2025. Please share and support humanitarian efforts where possible.