Millions in war-hit Sudan survive on one meal a day, NGOs say

Millions of people across Sudan are surviving on just one meal a day as the country’s deepening food crisis pushes communities towards famine, according to a new report by leading humanitarian organisations.

“Sudan’s war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which enters its third year on Wednesday, has caused widespread hunger and displaced millions of people amid one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises,” the report said.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, has devastated the country’s food systems and livelihoods, particularly in the hardest-hit regions of North Darfur and South Kordofan, Al Jazeera reports.

“Nearly three years of conflict, marked by violence, displacement and siege tactics, have systematically eroded Sudan’s food system – field by field, road by road, market by market – producing mass hunger,” the report added.

Humanitarian groups, including Action Against Hunger, CARE International, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, and Norwegian Refugee Council, found that millions of families in these areas are unable to secure more than a single daily meal.

“Often, they miss meals for entire days,” the report said, noting that many have resorted to eating leaves and animal feed to survive.

Sudanese refugees line up to receive food rations in Adre Chad

The crisis is further compounded by economic collapse and the effects of climate change, while communal kitchens set up to share food are struggling to cope with dwindling supplies.

According to the United Nations, more than 12 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with over 33 million in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 40,000 people have been killed, although aid groups say the true toll could be significantly higher.

An estimated 61.7% of Sudan’s population — around 28.9 million people — is facing acute food shortages under the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

Despite mounting evidence, the army-aligned government denies that famine conditions exist, while the RSF has rejected responsibility for conditions in areas under its control.

The UN and other monitors have warned of worsening famine indicators. In recent months, famine conditions were confirmed in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, with acute malnutrition rates among young children exceeding critical thresholds in several areas.

The report also highlights the disproportionate impact on women and girls, who face heightened risks of violence when accessing food, water, or markets. Female-headed households, it found, are three times more likely to experience severe food shortages.

Aid agencies warn that without urgent international support and improved access, the crisis could spiral further, leaving millions at risk of starvation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev