The United Nations recently warned of the risk of famine in Sudan, where a war between the army and paramilitary rapid relief forces has killed civilians and destroyed livelihoods on a large scale. Around 18 million people are already in acute hunger, including 3.6 million severely malnourished children.
Oliver Kiptu Kirui, co-author of the Sudan National Household Survey, conducted at the height of the war, provides insight into the scale of the food crisis in the country.
What is the food security situation in Sudan?
Acute food insecurity is measured on a widely accepted five-level classification, with severity increasing from “minimal” to “stress,” “crisis,” “emergency,” and “famine.” The scale is intended to help governments and other humanitarian organizations quickly assess the situation and take action.
Food security in Sudan has deteriorated dramatically due to ongoing conflict and economic decline: as of mid-2024, more than 20.3 million people – over 42 per cent of the population – face severe food insecurity.
Some countries are in crisis mode and others in emergency mode, indicating severe food shortages and widespread hunger.
Rural households have been particularly hard hit by disruptions to agricultural activities, limited access to markets and high food prices. These factors combine to have a severe impact on household food security, especially in conflict areas.
The conflict has disrupted agricultural production and trade routes. At the same time, the economic crisis caused by the war has led to hyperinflation, with food prices rising 350% above the five-year average. Many people cannot afford to buy food.
Rural areas have been hit particularly hard: 40 percent of farmers have no land to cultivate, and those who do are unable to do so due to insecurity. Food is even more scarce.
Conflict has forced people to flee, plunging Sudan into the world's largest displacement crisis, putting even more strain on food resources as displaced people seek refuge in already resource-scarce areas.
What do we know about the scale of the emergency?
The latest UN report signals a humanitarian crisis. Around 9.2 million people have been displaced since mid-2023. Food security remains crucial, especially in Darfur and Kordofan. Without urgent action, further deaths are expected due to rising levels of hunger and severe acute malnutrition.
A recent IFPRI/UNDP analysis found that more than half of rural households are reducing food consumption, including skipping meals or eating smaller portions, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and sustained humanitarian assistance.
Displacement and food insecurity in Sudan are at an all-time high. The collapse of livelihoods and markets has left millions of people in desperate need of help.
The UN has stressed the need for urgent and comprehensive humanitarian intervention to prevent full-scale famine, and the alarming prevalence of severe acute malnutrition among children is a warning of a looming public health catastrophe.
What was Sudan's food vulnerability before the war?
Even before the current conflict, Sudan faced food security challenges, including economic instability, high inflation, and frequent climatic shocks such as droughts and floods. Agricultural production was often below average. Many areas were dependent on food imports, which were easily disrupted by logistical challenges.
Before the war, rural households suffered from poor infrastructure, shortages of agricultural inputs and poor agricultural extension services. The current conflict has left them even more vulnerable.
Sudan's agriculture sector has been plagued by a number of problems, including outdated farming methods, lack of investment and inadequate infrastructure, compounded by frequent climatic shocks such as droughts and floods, which have led to chronic food production shortfalls.
Economic policies and political instability had already weakened the country's ability to import food, leaving it highly dependent on volatile domestic production.
What should the regional and international response be?
Improving access to credit, improving agricultural technologies, broadening and deepening social protection, and resilient infrastructure can help build long-term food security.
Well-coordinated humanitarian assistance reaching the most vulnerable is crucial for immediate relief and recovery.
The regional and international response needs to be strong and multifaceted, including:
Urgent humanitarian response: The rapid deployment of food and nutrition assistance is essential. This includes opening and maintaining safe humanitarian corridors to ensure uninterrupted delivery of aid. Immediate action is needed to prevent hunger and reduce rates of malnutrition, especially among children and other vulnerable groups.
Support agricultural production: Providing farmers with seeds, tools and training can increase local food production and farm resilience. Efforts to improve water management and irrigation infrastructure are also essential. Rebuilding and stabilizing the agricultural sector requires long-term investments in sustainable agricultural practices and infrastructure.
Economic support: Financial assistance can help stabilise the economy, contain inflation and ensure availability of affordable basic commodities to mitigate the crisis. Economic interventions should focus on supporting livelihoods and strengthening access to markets to make food more affordable and available.
Conflict resolution and security: Conflict mediation and peace-building efforts are essential to ensure that humanitarian operations can take place safely and allow people to return to their lives. Sustainable food security cannot be achieved unless conflicts are resolved. Peacebuilding efforts must be prioritized to create a stable environment for recovery.
International coordination: A coordinated international response is needed to ensure efficient use of resources and respond to the needs of displaced people. Cooperation and resource sharing among humanitarian actors can increase the effectiveness of aid delivery and ensure that it reaches those who need it most.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
author
Oliver Kipto Kirui, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Disclosure Statement
Oliver Kiptoo Kirui does not work for, consult, own shares in, or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond his academic appointment.
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