Sudan Famine Warning Drought and Civil War Threaten Food Supplies as Millions Face Hunger

News National | October 25, 2026

Drought Deepens Sudan's Humanitarian Emergency

KHARTOUM, October 25: Sudan is facing an escalating risk of famine as drought, crop losses and a prolonged civil war combine to threaten food supplies across the country.

The conflict, which began in April 2023 between Sudan's armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has already displaced millions of people and disrupted farming, transport and humanitarian assistance.

Now, unusually low rainfall is placing additional pressure on communities that depend on rain-fed agriculture. Farmers are reporting damage to crops and livestock, raising concerns that food availability could deteriorate further in the months ahead.

Reuters reported on October 23 that rainfall during Sudan's main July–September rainy season was the lowest nationally in more than three decades, based on US Geological Survey data.

El Niño Adds to the Pressure on Food Production

The climate pattern known as El Niño is contributing to hotter and drier conditions in parts of Sudan, according to climate and humanitarian assessments cited in recent reporting.

Rain-fed farming is a major source of food and income for rural communities. When rainfall fails, crops may produce smaller harvests, livestock can lose access to grazing and water, and household earnings decline.

The impact is particularly severe where farmers cannot obtain seeds, fuel or fertiliser, or where insecurity prevents them from cultivating their land.

The effects of drought vary across regions, but the combination of poor harvests and disrupted markets creates serious risks for communities already affected by conflict.

Millions Face Severe Food Insecurity

Sudan's food emergency is not caused by drought alone. Fighting has displaced families, disrupted trade routes and made it difficult for humanitarian organisations to deliver food and medical supplies to some of the hardest-hit areas.

A June assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimated that 5.1 million people faced severe hunger. The IPC has been updating its assessments as conditions change.

In an October 12 alert cited by Reuters, the IPC warned that the risk of famine was growing in conflict-affected areas as drought compounded existing hardship.

The World Food Programme has also warned that the number of people experiencing severe hunger could rise further without additional assistance.

These estimates are assessments and projections rather than a final count of future outcomes. Conditions can differ sharply between areas, particularly where fighting restricts access to food and aid.

Conflict Makes Humanitarian Relief More Difficult

The war has severely weakened Sudan's economy and public services. Hospitals and health facilities have struggled to operate, while displacement has forced families to leave homes and livelihoods.

Aid organisations face challenges involving insecurity, restricted access, damaged infrastructure and inadequate funding. Even when food is available, getting it safely to people who need it can be difficult.

Children, pregnant women, older people and people displaced by fighting are especially vulnerable to malnutrition and disease when food, clean water and medical services become scarce.

Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for safe access to affected communities and sustained support for relief operations.

Why the Coming Harvest Matters

The November–December harvest period is expected to be important for food availability. A successful harvest could ease some pressure on household supplies, but drought-related crop losses may reduce the benefit.

Where fighting continues or roads remain inaccessible, even a reasonable harvest may not guarantee that food reaches people facing the greatest need.

Monitoring rainfall, crop yields, market prices, displacement and humanitarian access will be critical to assessing the scale of the emergency.

What Needs to Happen Next?

Humanitarian organisations have stressed the need for increased assistance, secure access for aid workers and measures to protect civilians.

Longer-term recovery will also depend on restoring agricultural livelihoods, helping farmers obtain essential inputs and rebuilding services damaged by the war.

Ending the conflict remains central to reducing the humanitarian emergency. Without improved security and reliable access to affected communities, food assistance and agricultural recovery will remain difficult.

Sudan's worsening food crisis illustrates how conflict and climate extremes can reinforce one another, turning a poor rainy season into a major threat to lives and livelihoods.

Sources:

• Reuters, October 23, 2026 — https://www.reuters.com/world/new-famine-risk-haunts-war-torn-sudan-with-el-nio-driven-drought-2026-10-23/

• Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/123204872e733d39b0b67713b418b0c2

Editorial disclaimer: Famine warnings, food-insecurity estimates and projections are attributed to humanitarian agencies and reporting sources. A risk warning does not mean that famine has been formally declared in every affected area.