Sudan faces one of its worst hunger crises in years, with 19.5 million people affected and 135,000 in catastrophic Phase 5. Aid routes are blocked by conflict, and the upcoming July planting season could reshape outcomes. Below are focused FAQs that unpack the scale, the actions underway, and what could happen next.
The IPC has reported that 19.5 million Sudanese—more than 40% of the population—are in acute hunger in 2026. Of these, about 135,000 people are in Phase 5, the most severe category, and an estimated 825,000 children will suffer severe acute malnutrition. The situation is driven by fighting, sieges, and disrupted supply routes that hinder aid delivery and raise prices.
International agencies are intensifying aid operations, but access is hampered by conflict and drone activity. Efforts focus on delivering food, medical care, and nutrition support where routes remain open, while negotiating humanitarian corridors and ceasefires. The July planting season adds urgency, as farmers need seeds, fertilizer, and basic sustenance to protect livelihoods and prevent further deterioration.
Phase 5 indicates extreme food gaps, starvation, very high malnutrition, and risk of death from disease or malnutrition. Families face severe food shortages, inability to meet basic needs, and increased child mortality risk. In practical terms, this means rapid interventions are required to prevent irreversible damage to health and development, especially for young children.
If fighting and blockages persist, conditions could worsen through the lean season (June–September) and beyond. Higher food, fuel, and fertilizer costs may push more communities into deeper hunger, reduce harvests, and expand severe malnutrition among children. Access constraints could also limit aid reach, leaving vulnerable populations without essential supplies.
The surge is driven by ongoing armed conflict between SAF and RSF, sieges that disrupt markets and services, drone strikes targeting infrastructure, and regional price shocks affecting food and fuel. These factors combine to reduce food availability, increase prices, and fragment humanitarian access, worsening nutrition outcomes.
Watch for terms like 'Phase 5' conclusions in IPC updates, changes in aid delivery corridors, disruptions or openings in major supply routes, rainfall and planting season developments, and official statements on ceasefires or humanitarian access. Eyewitness reports and price-trend data can also signal shifts in severity.
A global hunger monitoring group reported that over 40% of Sudan's population faces acute food insecurity through May