European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia have warned of the risk of famine in Sudan in the coming months, stressing that urgent action is needed to save millions of lives. The warning comes after a United Nations-backed hunger monitoring initiative confirmed that Sudan faces a looming threat of famine.
A joint European-American statement emphasised that approximately 19.5 million people, representing 41 per cent of Sudan’s population, are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Of these, around five million people are experiencing emergency levels of acute food insecurity.
The statement warned that unless immediate action is taken to change the current trajectory, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the current estimate of 825,000.
It also projected that the number of areas experiencing food insecurity could double. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has identified 14 such areas across North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan.
The statement called on the warring parties to remove all obstacles hindering humanitarian assistance and to ensure full, safe, rapid and unhindered access for aid deliveries. It also stressed the need to guarantee the protection of humanitarian workers.
The statement concluded that the ongoing conflict remains the primary driver of Sudan’s hunger crisis.
