UN Warns 19.5 Million in Sudan Face Acute Hunger Amid Ongoing War

The United Nations has warned that the food crisis in Sudan risks becoming an even more serious tragedy without urgent international intervention. Approximately 19.5 million people, representing over 40% of the population, are currently suffering from acute hunger due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023. A joint report by the FAO, WFP, and UNICEF highlights that 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur, and South Kordofan are at risk of famine, with 135,000 individuals already facing catastrophic hunger levels. The situation is particularly dire for children, with an estimated 825,000 under the age of five expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026, a 7% increase from the previous year. UNICEF officials warn that many children are arriving at overwhelmed health facilities too weak to cry. Additionally, the conflict has nearly doubled pre-war poverty rates, leaving seven out of ten Sudanese living on less than four dollars a day. Regional tensions in the Middle East are further exacerbating the crisis by driving up prices for essential goods like food and fuel.