21 million people in Sudan face acute hunger | DW News

Sudan Humanitarian Crisis: A Deep Dive into Displacement, Famine, and Neglect

Key Concepts:

• Acute Food Insecurity: A severe lack of access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A Sudanese paramilitary group currently engaged in a civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces.
• Displaced Persons (IDPs): Individuals forced to leave their homes due to conflict or disaster, but remain within their country’s borders.
• Humanitarian Neglect: A lack of sufficient attention and resources allocated to address a humanitarian crisis.
• Checkpoints & Extortion: The use of strategically placed barriers by armed groups to control movement and extract resources (money, supplies) from those passing through.
• Sieges & Blockades: Deliberate obstruction of access to essential goods and services, often used as a tactic of war.

1. The Scale of the Crisis & Food Security

The situation in Sudan is rapidly deteriorating, representing the world’s largest refugee crisis. Over 21 million people are facing acute food shortages, with North Darfur and Jebel Aofan on the brink of famine. The World Food Program (WFP) has issued stark warnings, but the delivery of life-saving supplies has been severely hampered by recent aid cuts and the ongoing civil war. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions and created immense logistical challenges for aid organizations.

2. Life in the Tawila Displacement Camp

DW visited a camp for displaced people in Tawila, North Darfur, to document the realities on the ground. Batto Sharaf, a 60-year-old woman, fled Alfasia in October after the city fell to the RSF. She now resides in Tawila, one of the sprawling makeshift settlements housing over 650,000 people. Like many residents, Batto relies on the generosity of neighbors like Monira for food, as international aid deliveries have been drastically reduced. The sheer number of people in need overwhelms the capacity of aid organizations.

3. Aid Efforts & Community-Led Initiatives

Organizations like Plan International, the WFP, the Red Crescent, and German Velt Hunger Hilfa are attempting to provide assistance, but their efforts are insufficient. To fill the gap, community kitchens have emerged, largely funded by donations from Sudanese individuals and organizations. One such kitchen, founded by Amira (originally a women’s shelter operator in Alaser), serves approximately 5,000 people daily, distributing one plate of food per family on a first-come, first-served basis. The menu includes rice, pasta, meat, vegetables, lentils, and milk for sick children.

4. Logistical Challenges & Rising Costs

Delivering aid is exceptionally difficult. Supplies, including pulses and grains, are transported from as far as 800 km away through dangerous territory. Drivers face extortion at checkpoints controlled by both the Sudanese army and the RSF. This has driven up food prices dramatically; a kilogram of onions now costs $15 USD. Beyond food, there is a critical need for education and protection, particularly for women and girls, as highlighted by Amira’s desire to rebuild schools and safe spaces.

5. The Broader Humanitarian Context: A Norwegian Refugee Council Perspective

Carl Shamry, Regional Media Advisor for East and Southern Africa at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), recently returned from Sudan. He emphasized the staggering scale of the crisis, with over 12 million people facing desperate hunger. He pointed to a critical issue: “politically abandoned, neglected” and a severe lack of funding. Shamry noted that local responders are keeping Sudan alive with minimal resources, and the NRC is supporting them where possible, but the scale of the need is overwhelming. He also highlighted the atrocities occurring in Darfur and South Kordofan, where entire towns have been cut off and people have died of famine and bombardment.

6. Impediments to Aid Delivery & the Question of Benefit

Shamry detailed the numerous obstacles to aid delivery, including blockades, sieges, and checkpoints. These impediments increase the cost of aid and, in some cases, make it inaccessible. He raised a disturbing question: “Who benefits from making it more difficult for you to get aid in?” He suggested a cynical calculation by those with control over armed groups, believing it might advance their military objectives. He condemned this as “totally unacceptable” and a major factor exacerbating the crisis.

7. Prospects for a Negotiated Solution

Regarding the possibility of a peaceful resolution, Shamry expressed hope but acknowledged the situation is dire. He noted that calls for a negotiated process have been ongoing for nearly three years, and should have been prioritized months ago. He emphasized that military efforts have yielded no gains for the Sudanese people and have only worsened the humanitarian situation. He referenced a statement by a senior advisor to President Trump at the Munich Security Conference advocating for a peaceful resolution.

8. Data & Statistics

• 21 million+: People facing acute food shortages in Sudan.
• 650,000+: People living in the Tawila displacement camp.
• 800 km: Distance from which some food supplies are transported.
• $15 USD: Cost of 1 kg of onions.
• 12 million+: People facing desperate hunger conditions (NRC estimate).

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is a catastrophic confluence of conflict, famine, and neglect. While aid organizations and local communities are working tirelessly to provide assistance, their efforts are severely hampered by logistical challenges, funding shortages, and deliberate obstruction by armed groups. The situation demands urgent international attention and a renewed commitment to a negotiated solution to the conflict. Without a significant increase in aid and a cessation of hostilities, the suffering of the Sudanese people will continue to escalate, potentially leading to widespread famine and further instability. The crisis underscores the critical importance of protecting civilians, ensuring access for humanitarian actors, and addressing the root causes of conflict in the region.