Sudan dismisses IPC famine report backed by UN
Sudanese government officials have rejected a recent famine analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Jurist News reported citing the Sudan News Agency.
The Foreign Ministry stated it “categorically rejects” the IPC’s classification of the situation in Sudan as a famine, labeling the report as speculative and criticizing the lack of field data. Agriculture Minister Dr. Omar Abu Bakr Al-Bishri expressed concerns that the IPC did not consider Sudan’s communications regarding discrepancies in the report.
The IPC’s projections, released on December 24, indicate that approximately 24.6 million people in Sudan will likely face acute food insecurity from December 2024 to May 2025. Famine conditions, classified as Phase 5, have been identified in five areas, including the Zamzam and Al Salam camps in North Darfur, where high levels of malnutrition and mortality are reported.
The ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces is severely restricting humanitarian access, exacerbating food insecurity and hindering information flow. The IPC has urged an end to hostilities to facilitate humanitarian assistance and emphasized the need for agricultural support to vulnerable households.
UN officials have highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with over 782 civilians killed in attacks since May 2024. Calls for increased international response and resources have been made to address the escalating famine and malnutrition crisis.
