Sudan is experiencing a deteriorating famine affecting 24.6 million people due to a prolonged civil war. Famine has spread to five areas, with humanitarian needs escalating. The ongoing violence severely disrupts agricultural activities, risking the survival of communities. The UN warns of a potential “greater catastrophe” if hostilities continue.
Sudan is increasingly mired in a deepening famine crisis characterized by widespread starvation and escalating rates of acute malnutrition, as reported by independent food security experts. Currently, famine has been reported across five areas, affecting approximately 24.6 million individuals—nearly half of Sudan’s population—who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The catastrophic situation has culminated from a 20-month civil war, which has ravaged the nation, disrupting food production and exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian landscape.
Efforts to mediate an end to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who initiated a coup in 2021, have repeatedly failed, plunging the country into disarray. The ongoing violence has inflicted untold suffering, particularly in regions like Darfur and South Kordofan, where civilians endure severe attacks, leading to massive displacement and further hindrance in agricultural activities.
The UN-backed Famine Review Committee (FRC) has raised alarms about an impending “greater catastrophe” if the hostilities persist, noting that famine is not merely a shortage of food, but a severe breakdown of essential systems for survival, including health and social structures. As the FRC’s reports indicate a potential spread of famine to additional areas, the urgency for international assistance becomes paramount.
The current humanitarian crisis in Sudan is a direct outcome of a prolonged civil war that erupted following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. This conflict has severely hindered both agricultural activities and the overall economy, leading to widespread food insecurity. Approximately half of the Sudanese population is now facing extreme hunger, with multiple areas reporting famine conditions. UN agencies and independent experts continue to emphasize the urgent need for international intervention to avert an escalating humanitarian disaster.
The situation in Sudan requires immediate global attention, as famine threatens millions and continues to unfold amidst ongoing conflicts. The failure of mediation attempts between warring factions exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. With the Famine Review Committee indicating the potential spread of famine, there is a pressing need for humanitarian support to prevent further deterioration and to safeguard the lives of many innocent civilians.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
