UN Warns of Humanitarian Collapse in Sudan and South Sudan

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warn that humanitarian operations in Sudan and South Sudan face imminent collapse due to severe funding deficits. In Sudan, the IOM reports that emergency stocks of shelter and sanitation could be depleted by September 30, with the Common Humanitarian Pipeline—a logistics network supporting over 100 NGOs—facing total operational failure by December. The WFP reports its funding for Sudan dropped from $645 million last year to $206 million, leaving a $300 million gap. This shortfall has forced the agency to provide half-rations in hubs like Tawila and prioritize new refugees over long-term displaced persons in El Obeid.

These cuts follow the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development under the Trump administration, which previously funded 44% of the response. The crisis is exacerbated by a civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has killed an estimated 200,000 people and displaced 8.6 million. Aid delivery is further hampered by drone attacks on convoys and the impending September 30 expiration of the Adre border crossing authorization.

In South Sudan, the WFP warns that a "super El Niño" has caused widespread crop failures, leaving 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity. This is compounded by an influx of 3,000 refugees weekly from Sudan and illegal taxation by soldiers along the River Nile. Without an immediate $86 million infusion, food aid for three million people could drop to one million by October.