UN warns over 638,000 Sudanese at risk of famine amid worsening food crisis

UN warns over 638,000 Sudanese at risk of famine amid worsening food crisis
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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Sudan is facing its worst food insecurity crisis ever, with more than 638,000 people on the brink of famine due to ongoing conflict and a collapse in essential services.

According to a recent statement from OCHA, the 2025 humanitarian response plan aimed to reach 16.5 million people with aid, but by the end of April, only 47.5% of that target had been met. Over half a million of those reached reside in areas at imminent risk of famine.

This alert comes as a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) listed Sudan among five global hunger hotspots, including Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali. These regions face extremely high levels of food insecurity with a growing risk of starvation in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the displacement of over 2,000 families from villages in Al-Qoz locality, South Kordofan state, due to ongoing violence and insecurity. Most have fled to neighboring North Kordofan state.

Sudan has been embroiled in armed conflict since April 2023 between the army and Rapid Support Forces, resulting in over 20,000 deaths according to UN estimates. Independent studies suggest the death toll may exceed 130,000. The crisis has displaced more than 15 million people and caused severe deterioration of health and humanitarian services, with no clear political resolution in sight.