The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that Sudan is heading towards one of the world’s worst hunger crises as fighting, reduced humanitarian funding and rising agricultural costs continue to deepen food insecurity.
Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan are facing severe food shortages, while close to five million people are experiencing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.
More than 100,000 people remain trapped in famine-like conditions classified as IPC Phase 5, the highest level in the global food security scale.
Acting WFP Executive Director Carl Skau said Sudan remains among the largest humanitarian crises globally, with millions of people struggling to access basic food supplies.
“Sudan remains one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world,” Skau said.
The WFP said shortages in humanitarian funding and rising food production costs caused by global market disruptions have continued to weaken efforts to provide assistance to affected communities.
The agency also raised concerns over renewed fighting around El-Obeid in North Kordofan, warning that the area could experience conditions similar to El-Fasher, where prolonged conflict and restrictions on movement prevented aid from reaching civilians.
However, WFP said reduced fighting in recent days has created an opportunity to increase food assistance in the area from 100,000 to 250,000 people.
Humanitarian organisations have called for urgent international support, warning that additional funding and safe access routes are needed to prevent millions more Sudanese from facing extreme hunger.
