KEY POINTS
- UN seeks $6 billion to fight Sudan’s growing hunger crisis.
- Famine conditions are worsening, with five locations already affected.
- Aid efforts face setbacks due to conflict and funding cuts.
The United Nations has launched a $6 billion appeal to assist millions of people suffering from severe hunger in Sudan due to the ongoing civil war.
The latest appeal reflects a 40 percent rise from last year, as Sudan faces what experts name the world’s worst hunger crisis.
World Food Programme (WFP) Chief Cindy McCain revealed that famine conditions now affect five locations, particularly the displaced camps in Darfur.
She declared Sudan to be an epicenter that hosts the most acute hunger crisis ever recorded, while warning about its accelerating decline.
The 22-month war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has already displaced nearly a fifth of the country’s population and pushed nearly half of the 48 million residents into food insecurity.
U.N. calls for unprecedented humanitarian response
The U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher stated the crisis needs an answer of equal magnitude from worldwide nations.
“This is a humanitarian crisis unlike any other, and it requires a response unprecedented in both scale and intent,” Fletcher said.
Despite the worsening conditions, humanitarian funding remains strained, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent pause on foreign aid, which has disrupted several life-saving programs worldwide.
While some aid agencies have received waivers to provide assistance in Sudan, uncertainty lingers about the extent to which famine relief efforts will be covered.
According to Reuters, the U.N. response plan aims to assist 21 million people inside Sudan, making it the largest humanitarian initiative of 2025.
The $4.2 billion portion of the appeal will go directly toward providing aid to those inside the country, while the remaining funds will support displaced Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries.
Famine and violence intensify in conflict zones
The RSF continues its attacks while consolidating its power in Darfur’s conflict region and other war-affected areas of Sudan.
A displacement camp experienced an attack during famine last week, worsening existing conditions throughout the crisis.
Humanitarian workers predict the death count will increase substantially in the coming months because of basic service disruptions and dwindling food reserves, unless aid and access receive immediate attention.
McCain stressed that time is running out to prevent mass starvation. “If we do not act now, we could witness a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions,” she warned.
