Sudan Is Experiencing Its Worst Hunger Levels on Record, With Almost 800,000 People Facing the Threat of Famine
More than Half Sudan’s Population Already Experiencing a Hunger Crisis
June 28, 2024 /3BL/ - A new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed that more than a year of conflict has caused the worst levels of acute food insecurity in Sudan’s history and one of the worst in the world. Across ten states, approximately 755,000 people are suffering famine-like conditions (IPC Phase 5), and 8.5 million people are experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4). To date, more than 10 million people have been displaced, with two million fleeing to other countries.
“We are deeply shocked by the dire situation affecting millions of Sudanese,” said Samy Guessabi, Action Against Hunger’s Sudan Country Director. “This situation is especially critical for populations trapped in conflict zones and without access to protection.”
The civil war, which broke out in April 2023, led to an unprecedented deterioration of 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. Famine-like conditions already have swept through Greater Darfur, South and North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Al Jazirah, Khartoum, and five other states. There is a real risk of famine in 14 areas if the conflict escalates.
The conflict has also devastated key infrastructure, health care facilities, water and sanitation services, agricultural lands and other assets. Movement is severely restricted and most people who can access markets are unable to purchase basic necessities due to inflation. Food prices have increased by up to 296% since the start of the conflict for some commodities.
Although hunger has increased, funding has not kept pace. Action Against Hunger 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,” said Guessabi.
About Action Against Hunger in Sudan
Action Against Hunger has been working in Sudan since 2018. Since the start of the conflict, Action Against Hunger teams have intensified emergency response efforts. Operating in White Nile, Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Central Darfur, teams supported nearly half a million people last year alone. 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.
About Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
