The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen as famine is declared in two more regions where families are now experiencing the most horrific circumstances imaginable in terms of hunger, starvation, and death.
On November 3, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that El Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan are dealing with catastrophic levels of food insecurity – very close to where local partners of Foodgrains Bank members are programming.
In addition, other areas where Foodgrains Bank has recently supported programming, including locations in South Darfur, are now classified as being at risk of famine.
Sudan is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, driven by more than 30 months of violent conflict that has claimed the lives of civilians, displaced millions of people both within Sudan and to neighbouring countries, and severely disrupted access to food, healthcare, and basic services.
Canada, along with the rest of the world, should not and can not afford to look away – because too many lives have already been lost.
“This declaration is a tragic reminder of the ongoing deterioration of the world’s largest hunger crisis,” says Canadian Foodgrains Bank senior humanitarian manager Stefan Epp-Koop. “The only way to halt this crisis and save lives is through an immediate ceasefire and full, unhindered access for humanitarian aid. Without both, the situation will continue to spiral beyond control and countless more lives will be lost.”
Famine conditions are defined by the IPC as areas where:
- One in five households face extreme food shortages and starvation.
- At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
- Two or more people per 10,000 die each day due to hunger or related disease.
According to the IPC, over 19 million people across Sudan are facing acute food insecurity, with 200,000 people in famine conditions. Conditions are expected to worsen in coming months, with humanitarian access severely restricted due to ongoing conflict.
In 2024-25, Foodgrains Bank members and their partners provided $4.8 million dollars for programming in Sudan, reaching 115,000 people with food assistance and nutrition treatments. This included a $4 million grant from the Government of Canada to fund Foodgrains Bank’s emergency assistance work in Sudan.
Foodgrains Bank members and partners continue to plan new projects to reach additional people within Sudan with lifesaving humanitarian assistance, as well as in neighbouring South Sudan.
