US, EU and 30 nations warn of famine risk in Sudan

The United States, the European Union, and 30 other countries have issued a joint statement warning of an alarming deterioration in food security in Sudan and calling for urgent action to prevent famine. The signatories urged the warring parties—the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—to lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance and allow aid through all routes, including air access to Darfur. Source: Al Jazeera

The crisis

Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when a dispute over integrating the army and RSF erupted into fighting in Khartoum. The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 13 million people, and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. In June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that 5.1 million people faced severe hunger. Farmers have struggled to harvest crops, and an El Niño-linked drought has driven up food prices and reduced supplies. Source: Al Jazeera

The warning

Without immediate action, the joint statement warned that the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed 825,000. The signatories called on the international community to urgently scale up funding and ensure assistance reaches those most in need. They also demanded that both sides sustain the presence and protection of humanitarian personnel and refrain from hitting civilian infrastructure. Source: Al Jazeera

Political context

Last month, the US State Department stated that neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF “represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan.” The joint statement was signed by the US, Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, and 28 European countries. Source: Al Jazeera