Sudan’s War Drives Millions to Eat Weeds Amid Growing Hunger Crisis

Sudan’s War Drives Millions to Eat Weeds Amid Growing Hunger Crisis
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Sudan’s ongoing conflict, now in its second year, has pushed nearly half the population—24.6 million people—into acute food insecurity, forcing many to survive on wild plants and leftover food waste, Africanews reported. With markets crippled by soaring prices and agricultural lands shrinking, desperate Sudanese are boiling weeds and even eating peanut shells, typically used as animal fodder, to stave off hunger.

The war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), spreading violence across the country. Over 20,000 people have been killed, nearly 13 million displaced, and many face famine, especially in regions like Kordofan, the Nuba Mountains, and Darfur.

Aid workers report people resorting to eating grass, leaves, and even sucking on coal to ease hunger. In camps like El Serif and Zamzam in Darfur, thousands of displaced people struggle amid escalating violence and scarce resources. Prices for basic goods have soared, with sugar costing $33 per pound and soap $17 per bar.

Despite government claims denying famine, the World Food Programme warns of famine risks in multiple areas, including Gezeira, Darfur, and Khartoum. Over 4 million people receive monthly aid, but ongoing fighting and restricted access make humanitarian efforts challenging. The crisis remains one of the world’s largest hunger emergencies.