UN-Backed Experts Issue Dire Warning as Famine Spreads in Sudan's Darfur Region
United Nations-supported food security experts issued a grave alert on Thursday, warning that famine is now spreading across Sudan's western Darfur region. This devastating development comes as a grinding war between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces continues to leave millions of people hungry, displaced, and completely cut off from critical humanitarian aid.
Conflict Triggers One of World's Worst Humanitarian Crises
Since April 2023, the brutal conflict between Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in catastrophic consequences. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people while displacing nearly 11 million individuals from their homes. This ongoing violence has triggered what experts now describe as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with food security collapsing across multiple regions.
Famine Thresholds Surpassed in Contested Areas
In their official alert issued through the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system, global food security experts confirmed that "famine thresholds for acute malnutrition have now been surpassed" in specific contested areas of North Darfur. These include the regions of Um Baru and Kernoi, which are located near Sudan's border with Chad.
The IPC experts emphasized that "these alarming rates suggest an increased risk of excess mortality" and raised serious concerns that "nearby areas may be experiencing similar catastrophic conditions." The warning indicates that without immediate intervention, the death toll from starvation and malnutrition could rise dramatically.
Paramilitary Takeover Exacerbates Humanitarian Catastrophe
Experts noted that the spread of famine coincides directly with the paramilitary takeover of North Darfur's capital city, El-Fasher. This military capture led to what they described as "massive displacement" of civilians into surrounding areas. The sudden influx of displaced people has severely strained the limited resources of local communities, creating a domino effect that is "driving up acute food insecurity and malnutrition" across the region.
El-Fasher had long served as the Sudanese army's final stronghold in western Darfur before falling to the Rapid Support Forces last October. The city endured 18 months of relentless bombardment and deliberate starvation tactics before its capture, leaving infrastructure destroyed and populations vulnerable.
Humanitarian Access Remains Severely Restricted
The ongoing conflict has created nearly insurmountable barriers to humanitarian assistance, with aid organizations struggling to reach affected populations. The combination of active fighting, destroyed infrastructure, and deliberate obstruction has left millions of Sudanese without access to:
- Basic food supplies
- Clean drinking water
- Medical care and nutrition supplements
- Shelter and protection services
As the conflict enters its second year with no resolution in sight, international organizations are calling for urgent diplomatic intervention and humanitarian corridors to prevent further loss of life from starvation and disease.
