Famine has spread throughout Sudan due to ongoing conflict between the army and a paramilitary group, as reported by the United Nations-supported global hunger monitoring organization. The Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released a report indicating famine in various areas, including the largest displacement camp in Sudan, Zamzam, located in North Darfur province.
The report also highlighted famine conditions in other areas such as Abu Shouk and al-Salam camps in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, as well as in communities in the Nuba Mountains of southern Sudan. The committee predicted that famine, initially identified in August, would likely extend to additional areas by May.
According to the IPC report, approximately 24.6 million Sudanese, constituting half of the population, are facing severe food shortages. The conflict has led to mass displacement, a failing economy, disruption of essential services, societal breakdowns, and restricted humanitarian access.
Despite attempts by the Sudanese government to disrupt the IPC’s food shortage analysis, the report was published to provide crucial information. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant casualties, displacement of millions, and refugee flows into neighboring countries like Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
The ongoing war, which erupted in April 2023, has been characterized by violence, including ethnically motivated atrocities. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan.
The IPC’s report emphasized the impact of hostilities on farming in conflict zones, leading to abandoned crops and looting of livestock. Dervla Cleary, a senior official at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, described the situation in Sudan as dire and called for an end to the violence to ensure access to essential resources like food, water, health, and agriculture.
Sudan now joins South Sudan and Somalia as the third country in the past 15 years to be declared in a state of famine. The situation in Sudan underscores the urgent need for international assistance and peace efforts to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
