Families in West Kordofan Turn to Animal Feed as Hunger Deepens

In Ed Daein, displaced families are eating ambaz—the residue of sesame and groundnut seeds used as animal feed—because soaring grain prices and lost incomes have left them unable to afford staples. Humanitarian activist Huweida Abdelrahman Saleh said a team delivering food baskets was met by roughly 1,000 people; the team expanded distribution from 100 to 150 baskets, still far short of demand.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

The crisis follows Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023 and has displaced more than 12 million people, disrupted agriculture, and blocked humanitarian corridors. West Kordofan’s farms have been abandoned as families lose cash, seeds and labor. Seasonal rains have closed roads, limiting aid and market goods.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• A malwa (?10 kg) of millet costs SDG 20,000.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• Ed Daein’s population is about 10,000.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• The team arrived with food for 100 families but faced demand from ?1,000 individuals.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• OCHA reported water deliveries of 2 million litres to roughly 133,000 people in nearby El Obeid.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• The EU and AU warned that >605,000 people in El Obeid and surrounding areas face worsening humanitarian conditions, with >563,000 civilians in the city, including ?105,000 internally displaced persons.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• Farhan Haq, UN deputy spokesperson, said the UN and partners continue assistance in El Obeid, emphasizing ongoing water deliveries despite insecurity.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, and Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, issued a joint statement urging respect for international humanitarian law and unimpeded humanitarian access, describing Sudan as at a “dangerous crossroads.”

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

Local observers in Ed Daein noted severe hunger despite the area’s agricultural potential. Residents said they depend on supplies from South Sudan, which have dwindled as floods close roads. The team’s limited capacity forced them to use personal funds to add 50 extra baskets, yet many still left without assistance.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• No precise figure exists for how many in West Kordofan have resorted to eating ambaz; estimates rely on the team’s encounter numbers.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

• While OCHA provides water data for El Obeid, comparable quantitative data for food aid in West Kordofan are absent, leaving the full scale of unmet need unclear.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation

The EU and AU commissioners called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure and for all combatants to guarantee safe, rapid humanitarian access. UN OCHA renewed its appeal to protect civilians and facilitate aid delivery. Humanitarian actors in West Kordofan say they need additional funding and logistical support to expand food distributions beyond the current limited baskets.

‘Unbearable hardship’ in Sudan — Displaced people in Kordofan eat animal feed to avert starvation