The risk of famine is rising across several conflict-affected areas of Sudan, particularly in parts of Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan. An El Niño-driven drought is compounding already dire conditions, while a severe funding shortfall, insecurity and access restrictions are hampering aid. The warning comes in a new alert from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

The global initiative said conditions remain alarming in most areas it had flagged as at risk of famine in its May analysis. It added that new evidence points to worsening acute malnutrition in additional localities. In South Darfur, the proportion of children admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition has doubled in the city of Nyala and quadrupled in the Kas area. In North Darfur, acute food insecurity remains severe after delayed rains devastated agriculture.

More than 300,000 people have been displaced in Greater Kordofan since October last year. Heavy fighting in North Kordofan has pushed many farming communities towards the city of El Obeid.

The humanitarian response is falling short of needs. This year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is no more than 50% funded. Access constraints persist, and a recent attack on two World Food Programme trucks killed a driver.

The IPC's Famine Review Committee said life-sustaining systems in conflict areas had been "systematically targeted." It described "a humanitarian catastrophe of already historic proportions," with effects expected to last through 2026 and into early 2027. The committee urged diplomatic pressure on all parties to the conflict and their external backers, alongside continued aid.