Story perspectives

Iran War Spurs Costly Fertilizer Delays, Deepening Sudan Hunger

5/9/2026

Center

Iran Delays Aid

Iran’s war has forced fertilizer and fuel shipments to travel thousands extra kilometers, raising costs and delaying Sudan’s food-aid deliveries.
The Sudanese Armed Forces retook Khartoum in March 2025 while the Rapid Support Forces continue holding areas in Darfur.
The United Nations reports 19 million Sudanese facing acute hunger and 14 million displaced, with regions inaccessible.
Fertilizer costs $50 per bag and fuel $8 per gallon, leading farmers to reduce planting.

Left

Sudan War Overlooked

Sudan’s civil war, killing over 150,000, gets only ~600 news stories monthly, far fewer than Ukraine or Gaza.
The conflict has killed over 150,000 people and continues, with recent drone attacks on Khartoum and other cities.
UNDP says the war could add 34 million Sudanese to extreme poverty, cutting income by $1,700.
Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia, accusing Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates of drone supply.

History

Historical Context

During Sudan’s 1998 famine, civil war and drought devastated farmland, causing massive displacement and prompting a UN relief response. UN agencies delivered food assistance. Recurrent conflicts have kept displacement high—internal displacement grew from about 3.2 million in 2016 to 7.26 million by November 2025—so today humanitarian corridors remain critical to avert another large-scale crisis.

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Iran Delays Aid

Iran’s war has forced fertilizer and fuel shipments to travel thousands extra kilometers, raising costs and delaying Sudan’s food-aid deliveries.
The Sudanese Armed Forces retook Khartoum in March 2025 while the Rapid Support Forces continue holding areas in Darfur.
The United Nations reports 19 million Sudanese facing acute hunger and 14 million displaced, with regions inaccessible.
Fertilizer costs $50 per bag and fuel $8 per gallon, leading farmers to reduce planting.

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