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IN NUMBERS
• Sudan has experienced its heaviest rainfall in 40 years, worsening the existing crises caused by the ongoing war.
• 10.4 million people have been displaced in and outside Sudan, including over 7.9 million IDPs and more than 2 million refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees, since April 2023, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
• The IPC projection for June to September 2024 and the Famine Review Committee (FRC) report indicate about 26 million people in IPC 3+, including 755,000 in IPC 5, approximately 8.5 million in IPC 4. Famine has been confirmed in Zamzam camp in North Darfur and 13 other areas in Sudan, primarily, in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Gezira are at risk of famine.
• Increasing food prices and the weakening Sudanese pound have eroded purchasing power for vulnerable households and worsened the already dire food security situation.
• A cholera epidemic has been declared in Sudan, with 22 deaths and 354 confirmed cases, due to contaminated water and adverse weather conditions.
• WFP has scaled up its emergency response in Sudan, however, access remains a challenge and resources are scarce as the needs increase. August saw the worst flooding in decades, damaging roads and bridges, have severely delayed WFP’s cross-border and crossline operations.
• In August, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to over 1.8 million people in Sudan, 93,889 in South Sudan, 92,000 in Ethiopia, over 382,000 in Chad, and 15,950 in the Central African Republic (CAR), all impacted by the crisis in Sudan.
• WFP require USD 728 million between September 2024 – February 2025 to effectively respond to the Sudan crisis across Sudan and neighbouring countries. Of these, USD 429 million is required for WFP Sudan.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Since the conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, the country has been plunged into a severe humanitarian crisis, characterized by widespread displacement, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. The situation continues to deteriorate, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of millions of people across the country.
The conflict has triggered one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Approximately 10.4 million people have been displaced both inside and outside Sudan. This includes over 7.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and more than 2 million refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees. The scale of displacement has overwhelmed neighbouring countries and host communities, straining already due to limited resources and services.
Food insecurity in Sudan has reached alarming levels. In August, the Famine Review Committee (FRC) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine in Zamzam camp, making it the first famine that has been confirmed anywhere in the world since 2017. Additionally, other 13 areas in Sudan, primarily in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Gezira are at risk of famine. According to the June to September 2024 IPC projection, around 26 million people are expected to be in IPC Phase 3 or higher, indicating severe levels of acute food insecurity. This includes approximately 755,000 people in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) and about 8.5 million in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency).
The sharp increase in food prices is worsening the already dire food security situation across the country. The WFP Market Monitor reported a 28 percent increase in the cost of the WFP local food basket from June to July 2024, driven by a sharp rise in the prices of basic commodities.
Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis is compounded by seasonal heavy rains and flooding, particularly in August which damaged critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, disrupting WFP’s operations and slowing aid delivery, and the ability of affected populations to access assistance. Even though WFP has scaled up its response, access constraints due to floods and conflict make it challenging to reach those in need, particularly in areas like Darfur and eastern Kassala, which have been severely affected by flooding. These disruptions have hindered cross-border and crossline operations, exacerbated the scarcity of resources and delayed vital humanitarian efforts. In addition, there has also been a surge in cholera cases, with over 354 reported cases and 22 deaths, largely due to contaminated water sources.
There is an urgent need for increased support from the international community to address the immediate needs of affected populations, provide food assistance, and strengthen health services to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.