US and Dozens of Countries Warn of Looming Famine in Sudan

Dozens of countries, including the United States and major European powers, said Sudan was experiencing a worrying deterioration in food security and called on the two warring parties to “remove all obstacles to humanitarian assistance.”

In a joint statement, the countries said that, given the possibility of famine, they urged the international community to increase funding and called on financial institutions to adapt their existing programmes to address the food security situation.

The joint statement, published by the US Department of State, said: “Sudan is experiencing a worrying deterioration in food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, warned of by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), requires urgent action.”

The statement added: “The two parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

The Sudanese Armed Forces have been fighting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, following disagreements between the two sides over several issues, including how to integrate their forces as part of a planned transition to civilian rule.

Last June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger-monitoring initiative supported by the United Nations, reported that 5.1 million people in Sudan were facing acute hunger. Farmers have struggled to harvest their crops since the outbreak of the civil war in 2023 and have recently faced a wave of drought.

The joint statement urged the warring parties to allow humanitarian operations through all routes crossing front lines and international borders, including air access to the Darfur region.

It also called on both parties to “ensure the continued presence and protection of humanitarian workers” throughout Sudan and to refrain from attacking civilian infrastructure.