Drought and Conflict Push Sudan Toward Famine Risk
The United Nations warns of growing famine risks in Sudan as El Niño-induced drought and funding shortages compound the effects of ongoing civil war.
A combination of civil war, severe funding shortages, and an El Niño-driven drought is intensifying a humanitarian crisis across Sudan, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions. Recent airstrikes and drone attacks in North Darfur and Kordofan have killed civilians and driven up fuel and commodity prices, making essential goods unaffordable for vulnerable families.
The United Nations reports that rainfall during the peak season from July to September was the lowest in over three decades, with North Darfur recording its lowest levels since 1984. This drought has caused near-total crop failure in East Darfur and impacted critical food sources in Gedaref state. The World Food Programme forecasts that an additional 350,000 people will face severe hunger by the end of 2026, a number expected to rise to 1.2 million by August 2027.
Financial constraints are hindering the response. The humanitarian response plan is only 46 percent funded, with 1.32 billion U.S. dollars received against a required 2.9 billion. These shortages have forced the World Food Programme to cut rations, while the General Coordination of Camps for Displaced Persons and Refugees warns that families are selling possessions and withdrawing children from school to survive.
While the Sudanese government has downplayed the threat to harvests, humanitarian agencies accuse both government troops and the Rapid Support Forces of hindering aid delivery. The Rapid Support Forces' humanitarian aid authority has called for more resources to coordinate an early response.
