Sudan on Brink of Famine: US, EU, and 30 Nations Urge Immediate Aid and End to Conflict Impeding Relief

In a stark warning, the United States, the European Union, and 30 other countries have highlighted an "alarming deterioration" in Sudan's food security, issuing a call for "urgent action" to avert a widespread famine. A joint statement, released by the US State Department on Monday, implored the factions engaged in Sudan's civil war to "lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance." Among the signatories were Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management.

The statement emphasized, "Sudan is experiencing an alarming deterioration in its food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, needs urgent action." It further stated, "The parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people." Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between its army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, a dispute that escalated from disagreements over integrating the two forces into clashes in the capital, Khartoum. This war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced over 13 million people, and triggered the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed hunger monitor, 5.1 million people in Sudan were facing severe hunger as of June. The ongoing conflict has severely hampered farmers' ability to harvest crops, while an El Nino-linked drought has exacerbated food price increases and reduced supplies this year, according to the IPC. The joint statement cautioned that without immediate intervention, "the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000."

The signatories pressed the warring parties to ensure humanitarian operations could proceed through all routes, including across front lines and borders, and to permit air access to the Darfur region. They also urged the parties to "sustain presence and protection of humanitarian personnel" throughout Sudan and to cease targeting civilian infrastructure. "In the face of a potential famine, we call on all members of the international community to urgently scale up funding in response to increased needs and support efforts to ensure assistance reaches those most in need," the statement concluded. In addition to the US, Australia, and Canada, 28 European countries co-signed the statement. Last month, the State Department indicated that neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF "represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan."