Sudan faces deepening hunger crisis as nearly 20 million confront acute food insecurity

Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe has reached what United Nations agencies describe as a “critical inflection point,” with nearly half the population now facing severe hunger as the civil war enters its fourth year.

According to a joint assessment released between May 14 and 15, 2026 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and UNICEF, about 19.5 million people — representing 41 percent of Sudan’s population — are currently experiencing acute food insecurity classified as IPC Phase 3 or higher.

The report describes worsening hunger, collapsing public services, and mounting humanitarian obstacles amid continuing violence across much of the country.

Catastrophic hunger expands

The assessment found that nearly 135,000 people are facing IPC Phase 5 “Catastrophe” conditions, the highest level of food insecurity before famine is formally declared.

People in this category face extreme food shortages, severe malnutrition, starvation, and heightened risks of death from hunger and disease.

More than 5 million people are classified in IPC Phase 4 “Emergency,” while around 14 million are experiencing IPC Phase 3 “Crisis” conditions.

Although no formal famine declaration was issued for a specific area, humanitarian agencies identified 14 high-risk hotspots across Darfur and Kordofan that could rapidly descend into famine if aid access does not improve.

Areas of greatest concern include Al Fasher in North Darfur, parts of South Darfur, and conflict-affected areas of South Kordofan including Kadugli.

The report attributes the worsening crisis to prolonged sieges, armed clashes, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential health infrastructure.

In parts of North Darfur, nutrition surveys recorded Global Acute Malnutrition rates reaching 53 percent, far above internationally recognized emergency thresholds.

Children bear the heaviest burden

UN agencies warned that children remain among the most vulnerable victims of the conflict-driven hunger crisis.

An estimated 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition during 2026, a seven percent increase compared with 2025 and about 25 percent above pre-war levels.

UNICEF reported that more than 98,500 children received treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition between January and March 2026.

However, humanitarian officials warned that treatment access remains severely constrained because between 40 and 70 percent of health facilities in conflict zones are no longer functioning.

The destruction of clinics, shortages of medical personnel, and insecurity along transport routes have further undermined efforts to reach vulnerable populations.

Economic pressures and regional instability

Humanitarian agencies also linked Sudan’s worsening food crisis to broader regional instability, particularly the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

Officials said disruptions to regional trade and shipping routes significantly increased the costs of fuel, fertilizer, and imported food.

Rising transportation costs and logistical risks have further complicated humanitarian operations and weakened already fragile local markets.

The agencies warned that these pressures threaten Sudan’s upcoming July planting season, raising fears of further declines in agricultural production later this year.

Funding and access constraints hamper aid delivery

Humanitarian organizations continue to face major operational challenges in scaling up assistance.

According to the assessment, Sudan’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan had received only 20 percent of required funding by late April, leaving food, health, and nutrition programs severely underfunded.

Aid agencies also reported persistent bureaucratic restrictions, attacks on humanitarian supply routes, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and markets.

The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization warned that current aid levels remain far below what is needed to stabilize conditions.

Warnings ahead of the lean season

UN agencies warned that conditions could deteriorate sharply during the upcoming lean season between June and September, when food stocks traditionally decline and access to agricultural livelihoods becomes more limited.

Officials said that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and a major increase in humanitarian assistance, millions more Sudanese could fall deeper into emergency and catastrophic hunger conditions in the coming months.

The IPC and partner agencies urged all parties to guarantee safe humanitarian access and protect civilian infrastructure, warning that further delays in aid delivery could have irreversible consequences.

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