International statement warns of imminent famine in Sudan

Dozens of countries, including the United States and major European powers, have warned of a worrying deterioration in food security in Sudan and called on the warring parties to remove all obstacles to humanitarian aid.

In a joint statement, the countries urged the international community to increase funding and called on financial institutions to adapt their existing programmes to address the food security situation amid the risk of famine.

 “Sudan is experiencing a worrying deterioration in food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, warned of by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), requires urgent action,” the joint statement, published by the US State Department, said.

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“The parties to the conflict ​bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, “it added.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, following disagreements over issues including the integration of their forces as part of a planned transition to civilian rule.

In June, the IPC, a global hunger monitoring initiative backed by the United Nations, said 5.1 million people in Sudan were facing severe hunger. Farmers have struggled to harvest their crops since the civil war broke out in 2023 and have also recently faced a wave of drought.

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