International coalition warns of famine in Sudan
31 countries and organisations call for immediate humanitarian access and more aid.
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
A coalition of the United Kingdom and 31 international partners is warning of a rapidly worsening food crisis in Sudan. According to the signatories, famine threatens in several regions if fighting, drought and blockades on aid continue.
In a joint statement, the countries and organisations are calling on the warring parties to allow humanitarian aid in immediately and without obstruction. They are also calling for the protection of aid workers and free access via cross-border routes and through conflict lines.
According to the statement, an estimated 19.5 million people in Sudan are facing severe acute food insecurity. That is about 41 per cent of the population. The same estimate says that five million people are in an emergency situation in which food shortages could become immediately life-threatening.
The warning is in line with an analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the international system that classifies food crises. Earlier this month, that system identified a growing risk of famine in parts of Darfur and Kordofan. The United Nations links the deterioration to the war, mass displacement, inadequate healthcare and a funding shortfall.
The weather is also increasing the pressure. An El Niño-related lack of rainfall has reduced the water available for agriculture and livestock across large parts of Sudan. Aid organisations warn that failed harvests and higher food prices are intensifying the effects of the conflict. The scale of these effects in each area is unclear.
The signatories place primary responsibility with the parties fighting in Sudan. Among other things, they are asking them to ease permits, visas and customs procedures for aid organisations and not to attack civilian infrastructure, agriculture or food supplies.
The signatories are making a diplomatic appeal for humanitarian access and more aid. In the statement, the countries stress that international funding must be increased quickly to maintain food and nutrition supplies. Without additional aid, the crisis could worsen further, according to the UN agency.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- An international coalition warned on 23 October of a growing risk of famine in Sudan.
- The statement identifies conflict, obstruction of aid, drought and funding shortfalls as important factors.
- The signatories are calling for unhindered humanitarian access and more international funding.
Left
Arguments Priority should be given to immediate humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians and tackling the war economy. Western countries should take greater responsibility for funding and pressure on the warring parties.
Values International solidarity, equality and the protection of vulnerable civilians.
Consequences More aid and diplomatic pressure could save lives, but require long-term funding and access in areas where states have little control.
Centre
Arguments The most feasible step is an institutional approach: safe humanitarian corridors, verifiable distribution and diplomatic agreements with all the warring parties.
Values Pragmatism, international cooperation and feasibility.
Consequences A step-by-step approach could deliver results more quickly, but would largely leave the underlying power struggle and impunity in place for the time being.
Right
Arguments Aid alone is insufficient as long as armed groups control the state and food routes. International pressure should focus more strongly on accountability, border control and stopping arms flows.
Values Order, responsibility and national sovereignty.
Consequences Stronger pressure could deter the warring parties, but could also make humanitarian access more difficult if sanctions and security policy work at cross-purposes.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based on an official joint statement of 23 October and is supported by UN and Reuters reporting. Estimates of food insecurity and the effects of the weather are attributed as estimates.
- confirmed The United Kingdom and 31 partners warned on 23 October of famine in Sudan. — Mentioned in the joint statement by the UK Foreign Office. source
- confirmed An estimated 19.5 million people are facing severe acute food insecurity. — Figure from the joint statement. source
- confirmed Conflict, drought and blocked aid are worsening the crisis. — Supported by the British statement and UN analysis. source
- confirmed An El Niño-related lack of rainfall is putting pressure on agriculture and livestock. — Described by Reuters and UN sources. source
Editor's note
The appeal and the figures cited come from the joint statement of 23 October. The food crisis and the risk of famine had already been reported by UN organisations; the new development is the joint international warning and call for action.Sources
- Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Sudan: Drought and war push Darfur and Kordofan towards famine — Verenigde Naties
- New famine risk haunts war-torn Sudan with El Niño-driven drought — Reuters
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „sudan hongersnood”
- De Telegraaf — „sudan hongersnood”
- AD — „sudan hongersnood”