The ongoing war in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces for nearly 11 months has heavily impacted a country already suffering from displacement and food crises. The World Food Programme warned that this continuous war "could lead to the largest hunger crisis in the world" in a country already experiencing the world’s largest displacement crisis. World Food Programme Director Cindy McCain noted that the fighting, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of eight million people, "threatens the lives of millions as well as peace and stability across the entire region," as reported by AFP on Wednesday. She further stated that unless the violence ceases, "the war in Sudan could lead to the largest hunger crisis in the world."
Additionally, she pointed out that "twenty years ago, Darfur experienced the largest hunger crisis in the world, and the world then united its efforts to address it, but the Sudanese are forgotten today." In South Sudan, where 600,000 people have fled from the war, "one in five children in shelters at the border suffers from malnutrition," according to McCain.
Médecins Sans Frontières previously confirmed that a child dies every two hours in the Zamzam refugee camp in Darfur. Notably, since the outbreak of violent clashes between the two military forces in mid-April 2023, the bombing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, looting, forced displacement, and burning of villages have become daily occurrences for 48 million Sudanese. Meanwhile, 18 million Sudanese are suffering from severe food insecurity, with five million on the brink of famine, while humanitarian workers aiding them face difficulties in mobility and significant funding shortages. According to the World Food Programme, less than "5% of Sudanese can provide themselves with a full meal" at this time.
