Full Breakdown
Sudan’s Acute Hunger Crisis Deepens Amid War, Drones, and Regional Tensions
5/14/2026, 11:15:40 PM
Scale and Statistics
Nearly 19.5 million Sudanese—over 40 % of the population—face acute hunger, with 825 000 children projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition. Fourteen zones are classified as famine-risk, including 135 000 people in catastrophic conditions. Drone strikes have killed at least 880 civilians since January. The IPC estimates 34 million people (two-thirds of the country) will need humanitarian assistance this year, while 37 % of health facilities have been destroyed.
Conflict Background and Key Actors
The three-year civil war pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), destroying crops and displacing 14 million people. Since 2022, combat has shifted to drone warfare, with the UN reporting 880 civilian deaths. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) monitors hunger, while Action Against Hunger (Samy Guessabi) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (Grace Oongee) document civilian suffering. Regional factors—particularly the Iran-Israel confrontation and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz that curb fertilizer imports—exacerbate food insecurity.
Humanitarian Impact
Agricultural loss, collapsed health services, and blocked aid routes force families to subsist on leaves, animal feed, or slaughterhouse skins. Drone attacks on markets, hospitals and power stations further restrict civilian access to food and medical care, raising the risk of widespread famine and mass mortality.
Official Responses
The IPC warned that “ongoing hostilities—especially around major supply routes such as El Obeid—and the possibility of renewed siege-like conditions continue to heighten risks.” Action Against Hunger’s release stressed that “without immediate diplomatic action and increased funding, the rainy season and geopolitical tensions could leave even more people caught between hunger and violence.”
Criticism and Data Gaps
Humanitarian groups note that access restrictions may cause under-reporting; the IPC itself cautioned that some figures “may not be a true representation of what is actually happening on the ground.” Discrepancies between the current 19.5 million estimate and the 21.2 million figure from late 2025 illustrate data uncertainty.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In daily life, countless families have nothing to eat and survive as best they can, resorting to leaves, grass or animal feed, skipping meals or prioritizing some family members over others,” — Samy Guessabi, Director, Action Against Hunger, Sudan
- “We’ve had reports of families who’ve been forced to eat leaves, who’ve been forced to eat animal feed, even reports of families breaking into slaughterhouses that have been closed down just to get the skin of the animals to be able to eat and to survive,” — Grace Oongee, Norwegian Refugee Council
- “Both a lack of access to food and health facilities will ultimately lead to death for many, she warned.” — Grace Oongee, Norwegian Refugee Council
Outlook
The rainy season beginning in July, combined with ongoing hostilities and regional supply disruptions, threatens to deepen hunger. International donors and diplomatic actors are urged to secure funding, open alternative supply routes, and negotiate ceasefires to prevent a full-scale famine.
