Sudan is facing a worsening food security emergency, prompting the United Kingdom and 31 international partners to call for immediate action to prevent a potential famine. The countries and organisations warned that millions of people are struggling to obtain sufficient food as conflict, displacement and restrictions on humanitarian assistance deepen the crisis.

The joint declaration, issued on October 23, 2026, highlighted the urgent need to expand relief operations, protect humanitarian workers and ensure that food and medical supplies reach vulnerable communities across the country.

Nearly 19.5 Million People Face Acute Food Insecurity

An estimated 19.5 million people, representing approximately 41 per cent of Sudan’s population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. Among them, around five million people are facing emergency-level conditions.

The situation is particularly concerning for children and families who have lost their homes, livelihoods and access to essential services. Without an improvement in food availability and humanitarian assistance, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed 825,000.

The warning highlights the scale of the crisis and the need for sustained assistance to prevent further deterioration in living conditions.

Conflict Disrupts Food Production and Essential Services

Ongoing fighting remains a major driver of hunger in Sudan. Violence has forced millions of people from their homes and damaged infrastructure needed to support agriculture, healthcare, transport and commercial activity.

Displacement has separated families from farmland and employment, while disruptions to supply chains and local markets have made it more difficult to obtain basic food items. Damage to healthcare facilities has also complicated the treatment of malnutrition and other medical conditions.

The humanitarian situation is being further aggravated by reduced rainfall and drought conditions affecting large parts of the country. These environmental pressures threaten agricultural production at a time when many communities are already struggling to meet their daily food requirements.

Humanitarian Access Becomes a Critical Priority

The international partners have urged the parties involved in the conflict to remove barriers that prevent relief organisations from reaching people in need.

Their demands include allowing safe and uninterrupted humanitarian operations across front lines and international borders. They have also called for expanded air access to the Darfur region to support the rapid deployment of relief supplies and the medical evacuation of humanitarian personnel when necessary.

Delays involving visas, customs clearance, travel permits and other administrative procedures can slow the delivery of essential supplies. The joint appeal therefore calls for these obstacles to be reduced so that assistance can reach affected communities more quickly.

The partners have also stressed the need to protect aid workers and humanitarian facilities from attacks.

Children Face an Increasing Risk of Malnutrition

Children are among the most vulnerable groups affected by Sudan’s deteriorating food situation. Insufficient nutrition can weaken their immune systems, impair physical development and increase the risk of life-threatening illness.

Severe acute malnutrition requires timely identification and appropriate treatment, including specialised nutritional support and medical care where necessary.

The projection that more than 825,000 children could experience severe acute malnutrition during 2026 underscores the importance of expanding nutrition programmes and maintaining access to healthcare.

Relief organisations also need reliable access to displaced families, particularly in areas where conflict and damaged infrastructure make assistance difficult to deliver.

International Partners Call for More Funding

The joint declaration urges governments and other members of the international community to increase financial support for humanitarian operations in response to growing needs.

Development agencies and financial institutions have also been encouraged to adapt existing programmes to the worsening food security situation and prioritise communities facing the greatest risks.

Support for the winter planting season is another important priority. Helping local farmers obtain agricultural inputs and resume production could contribute to future food availability, while locally led initiatives may improve the effectiveness of relief efforts.

However, these measures will depend on improved security, access to agricultural land and the ability of humanitarian organisations to operate without unnecessary restrictions.

Preventing Famine Requires Immediate Action

The international warning makes clear that the risk of famine in Sudan cannot be addressed through emergency food deliveries alone. Effective action will also require safer humanitarian access, protection for civilians, functioning markets and support for local food production.

The parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for reducing the suffering of civilians and facilitating humanitarian relief. International partners have called for urgent cooperation to prevent conditions from deteriorating further.

The latest declaration represents a coordinated diplomatic appeal to address one of the world’s most serious humanitarian emergencies. Whether the situation improves will depend on the ability of relief organisations to reach affected populations, the availability of adequate funding and meaningful steps to reduce the obstacles preventing essential assistance from reaching those who need it most.