Arabic version: الجفاف والحرب يرفعان خطر المجاعة في السودان
According to Allafrica, the risk of famine is increasing in parts of Sudan affected by war and a severe El Niño drought, particularly in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan. A new alert from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said malnutrition is worsening in several hotspots while aid remains constrained by limited funding, insecurity and restricted access.
In Eastern Jebel Marra in South Darfur, surveys in two camps for displaced people found acute malnutrition among children at 38 per cent and 30.8 per cent, above the famine threshold. Hunger was severe and death rates were high. Across Greater Darfur, 13 of 17 nutrition surveys conducted since January recorded critical levels of acute malnutrition. In Nyala, the proportion of children seeking nutrition help who required treatment for severe acute malnutrition rose from five per cent in January to 11 per cent in August.
Drought now covers more than half of Sudan, destroying crops in some areas and depriving families of food and income, the alert said. In North Darfur, 64 per cent of cropland showed poor plant growth. Rains arrived in late September, too late to save most cereal crops, and cereal prices are very likely to continue rising.
Greater Kordofan, described as the epicentre of Sudan’s conflict, has seen more than 300,000 people displaced since October 2025. Markets have been affected by more than 170 airstrikes, looting incidents or armed clashes this year. Two trucks contracted by the World Food Programme came under fire on 2 and 3 October, killing at least one person. As of August, only 26 per cent of people expected to need care for severe acute malnutrition with medical complications had received it.
The IPC’s Famine Review Committee said available survey data were insufficient for a full analysis but pointed to a rapidly worsening situation. “Famine is the collapse of systems,” it said. The alert called for an end to fighting, safe and sustained humanitarian access, especially in North and West Kordofan, and large-scale flexible funding. As of 8 October, less than half of Sudan’s humanitarian appeal had been funded.
