According to the latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 40% of Sudan's population—nearly 19.5 million people—are experiencing acute food insecurity. The three-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The report identifies 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur, and South Kordofan states that remain at risk of famine, with 135,000 people facing "catastrophic" levels of hunger. Among these are el-Fasher and Kadugli, where famine was already assessed last year, largely due to RSF sieges.
Grace Oonge of the Norwegian Refugee Council said families are resorting to "negative coping mechanisms" such as eating leaves, animal feed, and even breaking into closed slaughterhouses to take animal skins to survive. She warned that the lack of food and medical facilities will lead to many deaths.
According to the IPC, around 825,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition due to insecurity, access restrictions, and budget cuts that hinder aid delivery to many areas. Compared to last year, the number of hungry people has decreased slightly from 21.2 million to 19.5 million, but the reality may be worse due to access limitations.
Drone warfare has replaced ground campaigns, killing at least 880 civilians since January. Attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure such as markets, hospitals, and power stations. The rainy season starting in July, along with the planting season, is expected to worsen the situation. The conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran also threatens to increase food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
"I think Sudan is becoming an invisible crisis, and that's why we need to keep spreading the message, sharing the horror of the real situation—it's not just numbers," Oonge emphasized.
