Al Jazeera

Acute hunger grips nearly 20 million people in war-battered Sudan, says IPC

Joint News Release - WFP/FAO/UNICEF: Risk of Famine persists as nearly 19.5 million people face acute food insecurity in Sudan

Anadolu Agency

Sudan famine risk persists as 19.5M face acute hunger: UN agencies

Ipcinfo

Ipc_Sudan_Acute_Food_Insecurity_Feb2026_Jan2027_Special_Snapshot.Pdf

Newsmax

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Metaculus

Sudan Ceasefire In 2026

Nearly 19.5 million people — equal to approximately two in every five Sudanese — are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released on Thursday, as Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year.

Nearly 19.5 million people — equal to approximately two in every five Sudanese — are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released on Thursday, as Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year.

The majority of those affected, around 14 million people, are classified as being in IPC Phase 3, which designates a "crisis" level of food insecurity. A further five million are in the category above, IPC Phase 4 (Emergency).

The majority of those affected, around 14 million people, are classified as being in IPC Phase 3, which designates a "crisis" level of food insecurity. A further five million are in the category above, IPC Phase 4 (Emergency).

Close to 135,000 people, meanwhile, face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, IPC Phase 5, across 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan, with the IPC expecting conditions to worsen during the June-September lean season.

Close to 135,000 people, meanwhile, face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, IPC Phase 5, across 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan, with the IPC expecting conditions to worsen during the June-September lean season.

In addition, the IPC projects roughly 825,000 children under five to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 7% rise from 2025 and 25% above pre-conflict levels, with nearly 98,500 children admitted for treatment between January and March alone.

In addition, the IPC projects roughly 825,000 children under five to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 7% rise from 2025 and 25% above pre-conflict levels, with nearly 98,500 children admitted for treatment between January and March alone.

The analysis identifies the country's ongoing civil war as a key driver of the crisis, with attacks on civilian infrastructure disrupting food production. Previously, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reported in April that Sudan's cereal output declined by 22% between 2024 and 2025, largely due to the war.

The analysis identifies the country's ongoing civil war as a key driver of the crisis, with attacks on civilian infrastructure disrupting food production. Previously, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reported in April that Sudan's cereal output declined by 22% between 2024 and 2025, largely due to the war.

However, the IPC also notes that rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East are compounding the situation, with fuel costs up roughly 30% since Iran closed the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf region supplying over half of Sudan's seaborne fertilizer.

However, the IPC also notes that rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East are compounding the situation, with fuel costs up roughly 30% since Iran closed the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf region supplying over half of Sudan's seaborne fertilizer.

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Nearly 19.5 million people — two in every five Sudanese — are facing crisis-level acute food insecurity, according to the latest IPC analysis released May 15, 2026, as Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year.

Nearly 19.5 million people — two in every five Sudanese — are facing crisis-level acute food insecurity, according to the latest IPC analysis released May 15, 2026, as Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year.

Around 135,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity across 14 hotspots in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan, with conditions expected to worsen during the June-September lean season.

Around 135,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity across 14 hotspots in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan, with conditions expected to worsen during the June-September lean season.

An estimated 825,000 children under five are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 7% rise from 2025 and 25% above pre-conflict levels, with nearly 98,500 children admitted for treatment between January and March alone.

An estimated 825,000 children under five are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 7% rise from 2025 and 25% above pre-conflict levels, with nearly 98,500 children admitted for treatment between January and March alone.

Drone attacks have killed at least 880 civilians since January, targeting markets, hospitals and power stations, while conflict-driven displacement has left more than 8.9 million people uprooted within Sudan.

Drone attacks have killed at least 880 civilians since January, targeting markets, hospitals and power stations, while conflict-driven displacement has left more than 8.9 million people uprooted within Sudan.

Around 40% of Sudan's health facilities are non-operational, approximately 17 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and only 20% of Sudan's 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan had been funded as of April 2026.

Around 40% of Sudan's health facilities are non-operational, approximately 17 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and only 20% of Sudan's 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan had been funded as of April 2026.

Rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices linked to the Middle East conflict are compounding Sudan's crisis, with fuel costs up roughly 30% and the Gulf region supplying over half of Sudan's imported fertilizer.

Rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices linked to the Middle East conflict are compounding Sudan's crisis, with fuel costs up roughly 30% and the Gulf region supplying over half of Sudan's imported fertilizer.

Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan — two out of every five — are facing crisis-level hunger as the civil war enters its fourth year, and the situation is only getting worse. Over 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 25 percent jump from pre-conflict levels. The international community must fund humanitarian response immediately or this crisis becomes an irreversible catastrophe.

Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan — two out of every five — are facing crisis-level hunger as the civil war enters its fourth year, and the situation is only getting worse. Over 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 25 percent jump from pre-conflict levels. The international community must fund humanitarian response immediately or this crisis becomes an irreversible catastrophe.

Sudan's hunger catastrophe isn't a natural disaster — it's the product of an unjust international system that deliberately underfunds Sudanese suffering while foreign governments arm the very forces destroying civilian infrastructure. The RSF has systematically looted homes, factories and entire neighborhoods while powerful outside actors look away. Ordinary Sudanese citizens are rebuilding with no real support, proving the global humanitarian framework is broken by design.

Sudan's hunger catastrophe isn't a natural disaster — it's the product of an unjust international system that deliberately underfunds Sudanese suffering while foreign governments arm the very forces destroying civilian infrastructure. The RSF has systematically looted homes, factories and entire neighborhoods while powerful outside actors look away. Ordinary Sudanese citizens are rebuilding with no real support, proving the global humanitarian framework is broken by design.

The Sudan Conflict

Sudan: 19.5M Face Hunger as Civil War Enters Year 4

Sudan

Armed conflict

As the civil war in Sudan enters its fourth year, the situation is only growing worse, with nearly 20 million people in the country facing dangerous levels of food insecurity. Given the severity of this crisis, the international community must get its act together and immediately support a humanitarian response lest this emergency become a catastrophe.

As the civil war in Sudan enters its fourth year, the situation is only growing worse, with nearly 20 million people in the country facing dangerous levels of food insecurity. Given the severity of this crisis, the international community must get its act together and immediately support a humanitarian response lest this emergency become a catastrophe.

Time and time again, the international community has failed Sudan by turning a blind eye to the country's woes, for it never truly cared for the suffering of the Sudanese people. Given this reality, Sudan's only hope lies in its people, who — no matter the odds — will carry on rebuilding their country, with or without global support.

Time and time again, the international community has failed Sudan by turning a blind eye to the country's woes, for it never truly cared for the suffering of the Sudanese people. Given this reality, Sudan's only hope lies in its people, who — no matter the odds — will carry on rebuilding their country, with or without global support.

There is a 23% chance there will be a ceasefire in the Sudanese Civil War during 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 23% chance there will be a ceasefire in the Sudanese Civil War during 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Sudan: 19.5M Face Hunger as Civil War Enters Year 4

Sudan: 19.5M Face Hunger as Civil War Enters Year 4

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Sudan: 19.5M Face Hunger as Civil War Enters Year 4

Sudan: 19.5M Face Hunger as Civil War Enters Year 4

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