US and 30 states warn Sudan famine risk, urge warring sides to lift aid obstacles
US, EU and 30 countries warn of alarming food security deterioration in Sudan, urging warring parties to remove aid obstacles as 19.5 million face acute hunger.
The story in focus
The US, EU and 30 countries have warned of an "alarming deterioration" in Sudan's food security, urging warring parties to lift obstacles to humanitarian aid to prevent famine. The joint statement estimates 19.5 million people—41% of the population—face high acute food insecurity, including five million at emergency levels.
- US, EU and 30 countries signed a joint statement published by the State Department on Monday.
- 19.5 million people, or 41% of Sudan's population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.
- Five million people face emergency levels of hunger, the statement estimates.
- The war, which began in April 2023, has displaced 14 million people.
- Only 40% of Sudan's 2026 humanitarian needs plan was funded as of September, according to Islamic Relief's Yusuf Roble.
Joint warning cites conflict and aid obstruction
The United States, the European Union and 30 other countries have warned of an "alarming deterioration" in food security in Sudan and called for urgent action to prevent famine. The joint statement, published by the US State Department on Monday, said the parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating suffering.
Signatories included Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Germany and 28 European countries, as well as the European Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management. They urged the warring sides to lift all impediments to humanitarian assistance and allow full, safe, rapid and unimpeded access, including air access to Darfur.
The statement said conflict was the main driver of the hunger crisis, damaging critical infrastructure and disrupting food production. It also cited systematic obstruction of aid and the effects of El Niño, which has reduced rainfall and increased drought across more than half of Sudan.
Hunger and funding gaps
The statement estimates that 19.5 million people, or 41% of Sudan's population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including five million facing emergency levels of hunger. It warned that the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000 without immediate action.
Yusuf Roble, regional director for Islamic Relief East Africa, told BBC Newsday that only 40% of Sudan's 2026 humanitarian needs plan had been funded as of September. He described people returning to Omdurman finding their homes destroyed or looted, and families relying on community kitchens with limited long-term support.
The civil war began in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. It has displaced 14 million people, according to the BBC. In June, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification estimated that 5.1 million people in Sudan faced severe hunger.
How many people in Sudan are facing high levels of acute food insecurity?
The joint statement estimates 19.5 million people, or 41% of Sudan's population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including five million facing emergency levels of hunger.
Sources & further reading
- Sudan war: West warns of famine risk ↗BBC
- West warns of famine risk in Sudan as civil war grinds on ↗BBC News
- US, EU and 30 countries warn of famine risk in Sudan, call for aid ↗Al Jazeera
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