Dire living conditions in Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur, where famine was declared in August 2024. People are surviving on crushed peanut shells typically used to feed animals. Photo: ©WFP/Mohamed Galal
Rome: The food security crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels two years after conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, with famine confirmed in multiple areas. More than half the population faces acute food insecurity, with famine conditions confirmed in at least five areas, including Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today reported that 30.4 million people, nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s population, including 15.6 million children, require urgent humanitarian assistance. Over 3.2 million children under five are projected to face acute malnutrition in 2025.
The conflict has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with agriculture—supporting 80 per cent of Sudan’s food and income—disrupted by violence, displacement, and economic collapse. With the lean season approaching and below-average rainfall forecast, the 2025 planting season is at risk, threatening further deterioration.
FAO highlighted the following five critical aspects of the crisis:
First, food insecurity has hit historic highs, with millions at immediate famine risk. FAO aims to deliver seeds for timely planting but urgently needs funding to prevent missed harvests.
Second, limited access hampers aid delivery, as looted markets, severed supply chains, and unsafe roads drive up prices for seeds, fertiliser, and fuel. Over 110 aid workers have been killed, injured, abducted, or remain missing since the conflict began.
Third, key agricultural areas face severe disruption, with displaced farmers unable to access land or inputs, threatening crop production and rural livelihoods.
Fourth, livestock systems are collapsing due to destroyed vaccine and veterinary supply chains, exposing millions of animals to disease. In 2024, FAO vaccinated 2.8 million animals, distributed 8,300 goats, delivered 850 tonnes of feed and mineral licks, and provided 5,300 tonnes of certified seeds to 2.8 million people. These efforts supported food production, but underfunding limits their scale.
Fifth, Sudan’s crisis risks being overlooked globally. Only 37 per cent of requested funding was received in 2024, and 2025 budgets remain uncertain. FAO warns that without increased support, families face impossible choices to survive. Emergency agricultural aid, combined with food or cash assistance, enables families to grow food, protect livelihoods, and reduce humanitarian costs while aligning with communities’ needs to stay home and recover.
FAO stated it plans to reach 14.2 million people in 2025 with time-critical assistance, seeking USD 156.7 million to bolster food production, protect livestock, and aid agricultural recovery. The organisation emphasised that investing in agriculture is essential to combat hunger and malnutrition, supporting rural resilience amid growing needs and limited funds.
– global bihari bureau
