Sudan Crisis ‘Absolutely Devastating’ as UN Increases Food Aid Efforts

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Sudan Facing Catastrophic Hunger Crisis as UN Scales Up Aid Efforts

After visiting Khartoum, Samantha Chattaraj, Emergency Coordinator for the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan, spoke in Port Sudan about the dire situation: “Vast parts of the city are destroyed. Hunger and desperation are at alarming levels,” she said. Yet, despite the devastation, she noted, “people remain hopeful.”

Currently, Sudan is the only country in the world where famine has been officially declared. Half of its population is enduring acute food insecurity, and close to five million young children and nursing mothers are severely malnourished.

According to Chattaraj, WFP succeeded in reaching four million people across Sudan in March — the largest number served since the conflict erupted more than two years ago. “This was a vital breakthrough to deliver food to communities that had been cut off from aid for months, even years,” she said.

However, she stressed that the scale of the crisis remains overwhelming. “With 27 areas now either experiencing famine or at severe risk, what we’ve achieved so far is just a fraction of what’s needed to stem the humanitarian catastrophe,” Chattaraj emphasized.

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Widespread Destruction and Soaring Hunger

In Sudan’s western region of Darfur, the situation has worsened dramatically. Nearly 450,000 people, who were already facing famine and horrific violence, have fled from El Fasher and Zamzam camps amid escalating conflict in recent weeks.

“The reports coming from the ground are absolutely shocking,” said Chattaraj. WFP is rapidly mobilizing resources to assist displaced populations wherever they have sought refuge across Darfur and Northern State.

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Preparing for the Return to Khartoum

Looking ahead, WFP expects many displaced individuals to return to Khartoum in the coming months. In coordination with local authorities, the agency is bolstering its presence in the city to ensure food assistance can be delivered consistently to those returning.

Next month, the plan is to provide emergency food aid to approximately one million people across the greater Khartoum area.

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Racing Against the Rain

With the rainy season approaching in June, time is running short. Heavy rains are expected to render many roads across Darfur impassable, which could severely hamper aid delivery.

To prepare, WFP is setting up mobile warehouses across the region to pre-position food supplies close to vulnerable communities, allowing operations to continue even during the rains.

Despite these efforts, an estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in the besieged city of El Fasher.

The WFP is urgently appealing for increased funding and guaranteed safe access to affected areas to sustain and expand its life-saving operations in what has become the world’s largest humanitarian emergency.

For more detailed updates, visit WFP’s official briefing.

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