| ☁ London 16°C
Sudan Faces Rising Famine Risk as Drought Deepens War-Time Hunger
Sudan is facing a heightened risk of famine as drought and extreme heat worsen the effects of a war that has disrupted farming, displaced millions and obstructed humanitarian aid. The crisis is being compounded by El Niño-related weather patterns, which have contributed to unusually poor rainfall during the 2026 rainy season.
Rainfall between July and September—the peak of the rainy season—was reported to be the lowest nationwide in more than 30 years. The dry conditions have damaged crops and weakened livestock, with farmers in parts of Darfur, Kordofan and Gedaref reporting severe losses. Some farmers told Reuters they expected harvests to reach only about a quarter of last year’s levels.
The drought is arriving on top of an existing hunger emergency. A UN-backed food security assessment reported that 5.1 million people faced severe hunger in June. The World Food Programme warned that drought could push another 350,000 people into severe hunger by the end of 2026, with a further 1.2 million potentially affected by August 2027. These are projections, not confirmed future totals.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced communities and disrupted access to farmland, markets and basic services. Aid agencies also face insecurity and barriers to reaching people in need. Funding shortages have forced reductions in food assistance, adding pressure on displaced families already struggling to find enough to eat. The World Health Organization and food security monitors say drought is compounding conflict and displacement, with famine risk and severe malnutrition concerns in parts of the country.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of crop failure, livestock losses, conflict and reduced aid could drive conditions further toward famine in vulnerable areas. The scale of the danger will depend on rainfall, access for relief organizations, funding and whether fighting continues to disrupt food production and distribution.