Thirty-two countries have warned that Sudan faces a growing risk of famine in the coming months, saying 19.5 million people—around 41 per cent of the country's population—are experiencing acute food insecurity. Sudan's government, however, insists the food situation remains under control.

In a joint statement, the countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, called on the parties to the conflict to remove obstacles preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians and to facilitate the rapid delivery of life-saving assistance.

The statement cited assessments by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), warning that immediate action is needed to prevent further deterioration in food security across Sudan.

Millions face severe food insecurity

According to the statement, approximately 19.5 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, while nearly 5 million are living under emergency-level conditions.

The countries also warned that, without urgent intervention, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed 825,000 during 2026.

The signatories stressed that the warring parties bear primary responsibility for alleviating civilian suffering and called for unrestricted humanitarian access across frontlines and through border crossings.

Calls for expanded aid to Darfur

The joint statement urged the removal of obstacles preventing humanitarian air operations into Darfur, where access remains severely restricted.

It also called for the protection of humanitarian workers, the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure and increased international funding for relief operations.

The countries appealed to international financial institutions to adapt their programmes to the worsening food security situation in Sudan and provide additional support for humanitarian efforts.

Khartoum rejects famine warnings

Sudan's Foreign Ministry rejected international assessments suggesting the country is heading toward famine, maintaining that strategic food reserves and ongoing agricultural activities are sufficient to meet domestic needs.

The ministry acknowledged that the war had resulted in the looting of strategic food stocks and damage to infrastructure but argued that the country had avoided famine despite those challenges.

It said measures were being taken to address food shortages in areas affected by drought, desertification and displacement from agricultural regions.

The ministry also pledged to continue facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries throughout Sudan, including areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while stating that assistance must not be exploited to finance or strengthen the armed group.

Sudanese authorities further argued that proposals for a humanitarian ceasefire could allow the RSF to regroup and reinforce its positions, describing such concerns as part of the government's official position.

Conflict continues to deepen humanitarian crisis

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023, has devastated food production, disrupted healthcare services and displaced millions of people.

Farmers in many parts of the country have been unable to cultivate or harvest crops because of the fighting, while prolonged drought has further reduced agricultural output.

The IPC has previously warned that famine conditions could emerge or worsen in several areas of North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan if humanitarian access remains limited and the conflict continues.

The World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNICEF have also warned that hundreds of thousands of young children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition unless humanitarian assistance is significantly expanded.

International organisations continue to stress that ending the conflict and ensuring safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access remain essential to preventing a wider famine across Sudan.(ILKHA)