More than 21 million people in Sudan are suffering from acute food insecurity, the United Nations has warned, as the conflict in the country enters its 1,000th day.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said the scale of human suffering in Sudan is staggering. He added that an estimated 34 million people now require humanitarian assistance, underscoring the depth of the crisis.
Laerke said Sudan is facing the largest displacement crisis in the world. Around 9.3 million people have been internally displaced, while more than 4.3 million have fled across borders, placing enormous strain on neighboring countries.
The UN confirmed that famine conditions have already been identified in areas including El Fasher and Kadugli, while at least 20 additional locations remain at severe risk. Laerke warned that without urgent international action, the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, the UN said. Households headed by women are three times more likely to suffer from food insecurity, with three-quarters reporting insufficient access to food. Laerke described hunger in Sudan as increasingly gender-driven, calling it a critical warning sign of deepening vulnerability.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 following violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces across multiple regions, as both sides sought control of key state institutions.
Efforts by Arab, African and international mediators to broker a lasting ceasefire have repeatedly failed. Tensions escalated after disagreements surfaced between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo following the signing of a framework agreement intended to launch a civilian-led transition.
Dagalo accused the army of seeking to retain power and obstruct the transfer of authority to civilians, while the military described RSF actions as a rebellion against the state.
According to the United Nations and the African Union, the war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 13 million, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and pushing millions closer to famine as the conflict shows no sign of abating.
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