Drought and War Drive Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan Regions Toward Famine
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification issued a disaster warning, highlighting rising malnutrition rates and declining aid in Sudan.
According to a new warning report published by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, severe drought and ongoing conflict are pushing Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan regions to the brink of famine. While malnutrition rates in the region have risen to dangerous levels, humanitarian aid is being hindered by security issues and insufficient funding.
Critical Malnutrition Rates
Surveys conducted in two displacement camps in the East Jebel Marra area of South Darfur revealed that acute malnutrition rates among children range between 38 percent and 30.8 percent. These rates are above the famine threshold, indicating severe hunger and high mortality rates.
Situation in the Darfur Region
Critical levels of acute malnutrition were detected in 13 out of 17 nutritional surveys conducted across Greater Darfur since January. In the city of Nyala, the proportion of children seeking nutritional support who required treatment for severe acute malnutrition rose from 5 percent to 11 percent between January and August.
Impact of Drought on Agriculture
Drought currently affects more than half of Sudan, destroying crops in some areas and leaving families without food and income. Poor crop growth was observed in 64 percent of cultivated lands in North Darfur, and rains that arrived in late September came too late to save most of the grain crops.
Conflict in Kordofan
Described as the epicenter of the conflict in Sudan, Greater Kordofan has seen more than 300,000 people forced to flee their homes since October 2025. Markets in the region have been subjected to more than 170 airstrikes, looting incidents, or armed clashes this year.
Obstruction of Aid Operations
As humanitarian workers continue to face extreme dangers, two trucks contracted by the World Food Programme came under fire on October 2 and 3, resulting in at least one death. As of August, only 26 percent of children expected to receive treatment for severe acute malnutrition with medical complications received this care.
Humanitarian Disaster and Calls
As of October, less than half of the humanitarian appeal for Sudan has been funded. The Famine Review Committee described the situation as a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions, demanding an end to the conflicts, safe and uninterrupted access for relief organizations, and large-scale flexible funding support.