Cairo: Famine has been officially confirmed in parts of war-torn Sudan, where hunger and suffering have reached catastrophic levels. According to the latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), famine conditions now exist in the city of El Fasher in North Darfur and in Kadugli in South Kordofan.
More than 375,000 people in these areas are believed to be facing starvation, while over six million others across Sudan are on the brink of famine. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has left towns under siege, aid convoys blocked, and markets destroyed. The result is a man-made disaster that continues to worsen each day.
The situation in El Fasher is especially severe. Nearly half of the city’s children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, and many families are surviving on leaves, animal fodder, or anything they can find. The United Nations and humanitarian groups describe the conditions as among the worst seen in decades.
The World Food Programme warns that almost 24 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger, with around 637,000 already experiencing catastrophic food shortages. The agency says that even where food stocks exist, fighting and insecurity prevent aid from reaching those in need.
Health and sanitation have also collapsed in many regions, leading to outbreaks of disease that worsen the crisis. Hospitals are running out of supplies, and thousands of people have fled their homes in search of food and safety.
Experts say that without an immediate ceasefire and full access for humanitarian aid, famine could spread to more than 20 other regions in the coming months. The IPC projects that conditions are likely to remain severe at least until early 2026 if the war continues.
Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent global attention and funding to prevent more deaths. They stress that this crisis is not caused by drought or natural disaster but by violence and blockades that have cut off entire communities from food and assistance.
As famine tightens its grip, the people of Sudan face an uncertain future. Aid workers warn that unless peace efforts succeed and access is restored soon, many more lives will be lost to hunger in the weeks ahead.