Sudan risks becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis in recent history as conflict continues to rage across the country, destroying livelihoods, infrastructure, trade routes and supply chains.

A protracted famine is taking hold – the only place in the world at this level of hunger – and without humanitarian assistance, hundreds of thousands could die.

Famine was first confirmed in August in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp and has since spread to four more areas. It is projected in five additional areas in North Darfur, between December and May 2025.

A total of 24.6 million people (around half the population) are acutely food insecure, while 638,000 (the highest anywhere in the world) face catastrophic levels of hunger.

Over 1 in 3 children are facing acute malnutrition – above the 20 percent threshold for a famine confirmation.

Sudan also faces the worst displacement crisis in the world, with over 11 million people forced from their homes by conflict.

In late 2024, the World Food Programme launched a major surge in food aid across Sudan, doubling the number of people receiving monthly assistance to over 2 million.  

However, the areas in famine and those at risk of famine areas are concentrated in places where fighting is worst, which makes access dangerous and unpredictable. 

Despite being in the midst of an emergency response, WFP continues to work on long-term solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity and build resilience in Sudan,

WFP and partners urge the international community to prioritize funding for humanitarian efforts and to use diplomatic channels to secure a ceasefire and unrestricted access.

We need US$614 million for operations across Sudan between January and May 2025.

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What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the Sudan emergency

Emergency response
Since mid-April 2023, WFP has supported over 11 million people with emergency food packages, cash-based assistance, hot meals and specialized nutrition supplements. In late 2024, as roads dried following the rainy season, WFP launched a major surge in food assistance to hard-to-reach areas. Communities that had been totally cut off from support since the start of the conflict finally received food assistance. Access remains a major obstacle, however. WFP has used alternative forms of assistance such as voucher-based assistance; mobile money transfers; and working through community kitchens in Khartoum to provide hot meals.
Resilience
WFP manages activities designed to improve livelihoods and build resilience, focused on the relatively safe eastern state of Sudan. We support farmers in boosting agricultural production and reducing post-harvest losses. We also work with communities to increase livelihood opportunities, build or refurbish community infrastructure like schools or water points, and participate in cash-for-work activities - all of which in turn improve people's food security.
UNHAS
The WFP-managed United Nations Humanitarian Air Services has established air connections between Nairobi and Port Sudan and Amman and Port Sudan, which are already transporting frontline humanitarians from 69 organizations. In 2023, UNHAS facilitated nearly 200 international flights into and out of Port Sudan, transporting around 4,000 passengers and 18.2 MT of light humanitarian cargo from May to December 2023.
Logistics
The WFP-led Logistics Cluster provides storage services to 9 UN agencies and NGO partners at four locations in Port Sudan, Wad Madani, Kosti, and Gedaref. Thousands of tons of humanitarian supplies are passing through these hubs.
Emergency Telecommunications Cluster
The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster provides connectivity services in Port Sudan, Kassala and Kosti. In Port Sudan, the Cluster is providing connectivity to around 600 users from 37 partners across 28 sites. In Kassala, the Cluster provides connectivity to 70 users from 8 partners across 4 sites.

How you can help

WFP urgently needs funding to support people whose lives have been upended by the conflict.
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