Sudan’s war exacerbates famine crisis in displacement camps
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Halima Habdullha cradles her 7-month-old daughter, Kaltum Abakar, who is severely malnourished, at an MSF-operated clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, on October 4, 2024.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to a devastating famine crisis, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated the country, causing immense suffering and triggering the world’s largest displacement crisis. Hunger experts warned on Tuesday that famine is spreading, with severe consequences for millions of people.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), famine has been detected in five regions across Sudan, including the largest displacement camp, Zamzam, in North Darfur. This camp, home to more than 400,000 displaced individuals, is one of the worst-hit areas, where famine was declared for the first time in August. Other areas in North Darfur, including Abu Shouk and al-Salam camps, have also been identified as facing famine. The Western Nuba Mountains are another region where famine conditions have been observed.
The IPC’s report paints a grim picture of Sudan’s food security crisis. It estimates that 638,000 people are currently experiencing famine, most of them in these five high-risk areas. The situation is expected to worsen in the coming months, with projections indicating that famine will likely affect more regions. In total, 24.6 million Sudanese people—half of the country’s population—are facing acute food insecurity, with hunger and malnutrition levels at critical points.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has led to widespread devastation. The war erupted after tensions between the Sudanese military and the RSF escalated into violent clashes in the capital, Khartoum. The fighting spread rapidly, affecting major urban areas and the western Darfur region. As the war has raged on for over 20 months, it has left more than 24,000 people dead and forced 14 million people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. This includes 3.2 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
In addition to the loss of life and mass displacement, the war has been marked by horrific atrocities, including ethnic killings and rape, with both local and international organizations condemning these actions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating these atrocities, which could be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The famine in Sudan is driven by multiple factors, including the destruction of infrastructure, scarcity of food in markets, and soaring prices. Many areas are cut off from aid as the warring parties limit access to humanitarian organizations. This is especially true in North Darfur, where access is tightly controlled and food delivery to the most vulnerable populations is impeded. Aid groups are struggling to meet the overwhelming need for assistance as the conflict continues to block relief efforts.
According to Dervla Cleary, the senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, the famine crisis is particularly acute in the five regions identified by the IPC. The humanitarian need is dire, and the conditions are expected to worsen as the conflict persists. While the IPC has provided a snapshot of the situation, it is also concerned about the possibility of famine-like conditions in other parts of the country, such as in Khartoum and the Gezira province.
Famine is defined by the IPC as a condition where at least 20% of households or populations face extreme food scarcity, with high levels of malnutrition and mortality. This designation highlights the urgency of addressing the crisis. Sudan is now the third country in the past 15 years to experience famine, following South Sudan and Somalia, where a devastating famine in 2011 claimed the lives of a quarter of a million people, half of whom were children under the age of five.
The IPC’s warning is not limited to Sudan. It also raised concerns about the possibility of famine in Gaza, where large portions of the Palestinian population are at risk due to ongoing conflict and blockades. The global community’s attention to these crises is critical, as the humanitarian need grows exponentially.
The situation in Sudan is a dire reminder of the devastating impact of war on civilian populations, particularly in terms of food security. As famine continues to spread, the international community must act quickly to provide humanitarian aid and support efforts to end the conflict. The long-term stability of Sudan will depend on addressing both the immediate hunger crisis and the underlying political and military challenges that fuel the ongoing violence.
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