Famine looms over additional regions in the western Darfur area of Sudan, which has been embroiled in conflict. A recent assault by paramilitary groups on a military hospital in the southern part of the country resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, including the hospital director and three medical staff members.
The power struggle that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 between the military and the Rapid Support Forces has led to what the United Nations has termed the most severe humanitarian crisis globally. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released a report indicating that severe malnutrition has escalated to famine levels in two additional towns in Darfur, although a full famine declaration has not been confirmed.
Last year, the IPC reported that residents of El Fasher, a major city in Darfur, were facing famine after being overtaken by paramilitary forces following a prolonged siege. The recent attack in the town of Kouik in South Kordofan province resulted in 22 fatalities, with eight individuals sustaining injuries. The Sudan Doctors’ Network highlighted that these attacks have rendered several hospitals inoperable.
The conflict in Sudan has claimed over 40,000 lives according to the UN, with aid agencies suggesting the actual toll could be significantly higher. Additionally, more than 14 million people have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing crisis.
A recent IPC report pinpointed famine-level malnutrition in Umm Baru and Kernoi towns in North Darfur province. The report warned of a heightened risk of mortality due to the dire conditions. Despite the severity of the situation, confirming a full famine in these towns remains challenging due to limited access and data constraints.
The fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces triggered a mass exodus to neighboring towns, exacerbating food insecurity rates. The IPC emphasized the urgent need for a sustained ceasefire to prevent further suffering and fatalities in Sudan.
The report also raised concerns about escalating hunger in Kordofan, where food production disruptions and besieged towns have exacerbated the crisis. The Rome-based group stressed the critical importance of immediate action to avert deeper destitution and loss of life in the affected regions.
Famine criteria include specific thresholds related to malnutrition-related deaths, food scarcity, and acute malnutrition levels among children. The ongoing conflict has shifted focus to Kordofan following the fall of El Fasher, with the Sudanese military making recent gains in Kadugli and Dilling.
International efforts, led by the United States and the UN, aim to mobilize support for humanitarian aid in Sudan. A new Sudan Humanitarian Fund, backed by $700 million in contributions from the U.S. and the UAE, seeks to alleviate the crisis. The Trump administration’s pledge of $200 million from a designated fund underscores the urgency of the situation, with other participants committing to further support.