World · Africa · 4 hrs ago
Conflict and drought raise famine risk in Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions
A global food security monitor says conflict and drought are increasing the risk of famine in Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions.
The drought, linked to El Niño, is affecting roughly half the country and reducing food supplies, raising prices and damaging livelihoods.
Sudan’s war began in April 2023, when fighting between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces spread from Khartoum across the country.
About 13 million people have been displaced, and the monitor said nearly 19.5 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in May.
Poor crop growth and severe water shortages are affecting several areas, while limited health care and clean water leave people more exposed to disease.
The monitor also reported worsening acute malnutrition, including in Nyala, and said two displacement camps in South Darfur recorded levels above famine thresholds.
It warns that food insecurity, acute malnutrition and deaths are likely to worsen.
A global food crisis monitor says conflict and drought are increasing the risk of famine in Sudan’s Darfur and Kordofan regions.
An El Niño-induced drought is affecting roughly half the country, reducing food availability, raising prices and damaging livelihoods.
The monitor warned that food insecurity, acute malnutrition and excess mortality are likely to intensify.
In May, nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan were facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to an assessment by the monitor.
- Who
- The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global food crisis monitor, issued the warning.
- What
- Conflict and drought are increasing the risk of famine in Darfur and Kordofan. The IPC warned that food insecurity, acute malnutrition and excess mortality are likely to intensify.
- When
- The warning was reported on October 12, 2026. The IPC said the conflict began in April 2023.
- Where
- Sudan, particularly the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
- Why
- Conflict, displacement and an El Niño-induced drought are reducing food availability, raising prices and damaging livelihoods.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
War erupted after tensions between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces escalated into open fighting in Khartoum.
An IPC assessment found that nearly 19.5 million people were facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
In Nyala, the share of children accessing nutrition services who were admitted for severe acute malnutrition rose from approximately 5% to 11%.
The IPC warned that conflict and drought were increasing famine risk in Darfur and Kordofan.
- People facing acute food insecurity in May
- Nearly 19.5 million
- People in IPC Phase 5 in May
- 135,000
- People displaced by the war
- About 13 million
- Conflict deaths
- At least 150,000, according to ACLED
- Nyala severe acute malnutrition admissions
- Rose from approximately 5% to 11% from January to August
- Drought’s reach
- Roughly half of Sudan is affected
What people are saying
An El Nino-induced drought, affecting roughly half of the country, is compounding the impacts of conflict and displacement, reducing food availability, driving up prices and affecting livelihoods
Healthcare is extremely limited, often entirely inaccessible, while clean water is becoming increasingly scarce, leaving a poorly nourished population highly vulnerable to disease and death
Food insecurity, acute malnutrition and excess mortality will likely intensify
Sources
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