7 international organizations warn of worsening hunger crisis in Sudan over the coming year

Amsterdam – October 8, 2026 – Radio Dabanga – Seven international humanitarian organizations have launched a joint appeal warning that the next four months in Sudan—covering the critical harvest period from October 2026 to January 2027—will significantly influence whether the country's hunger crisis worsens in 2027. These organizations state that conflict, displacement, erratic rainfall, and the growing risk of drought associated with the El Niño phenomenon threaten crop yields and the ability of families to access food and earn an income. The organizations issuing this joint call to action include Action Against Hunger, CARE International, the Danish Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Mercy Corps, and World Vision Sudan, in collaboration with the Sudan Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster. The statement describes the Sudan Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster as a coordination mechanism that brings together UN agencies, international NGOs, and local organizations to coordinate emergency food relief and livelihood protection efforts. In a press release issued from Port Sudan on October 5, 2026, the organizations urged parties to the conflict and those with influence over them to protect civilians, critical civilian infrastructure, and food systems. They also called on regional and international actors to make the protection of the harvest season an urgent diplomatic priority and requested donors to continue providing life-saving assistance while investing in livelihoods and local food systems. Worsening Hunger Risk: Sudan is already witnessing acute levels of food insecurity, according to the Sudan Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster. The press release notes that approximately 29 million people are facing acute food insecurity. The report also points to the confirmation of famine multiple times in parts of Sudan over the past two years, using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global framework that classifies acute food insecurity from Phase 1 (lowest level) to Phase 5 (catastrophe/famine). The report adds that other areas remain at risk of famine. The Need for a Safe Harvest: As Sudan enters the harvest season, the humanitarian organizations raised the pivotal question of whether farmers can harvest safely and whether food will reach the families who need it most. Reports indicate that farmers in Darfur, Kordofan, Blue Nile, and other conflict-affected states have continued to farm despite violence, displacement, and strict movement restrictions. Reports clarify that agricultural land, roads, markets, water networks, power supplies, and other infrastructure used for food production and trade are being subjected to attacks. They also point to weak and erratic rainfall and growing concerns over drought as factors threatening crops, in addition to high inflation and the continued devaluation of the currency, which increase the costs of food, fuel, and transportation. Deadly Risks and Increasing Economic Pressures: The press release includes accounts from farmers describing the risks and limitations they face. A farmer in South Kordofan said they planted their crops knowing they might be killed before the harvest, adding that not farming is also seen as a path to death. A female farmer in Kas, South Darfur, described the lack of rain and repeated, futile attempts at farming, while noting rising prices and her limited ability to buy food. The statement notes that local food systems continue to function through farmers' associations, women's groups, local stakeholders, traders, and community networks, often with scarce resources and under constant threat. Protection and Sustainable Support for Food Systems: The organizations emphasized that protecting the harvest season from October to January will not solve the broader hunger crisis in Sudan, but the loss of this harvest could significantly exacerbate the outlook for next year. The organizations called on the parties to the conflict and influential actors to protect civilians and ensure their safe access to agricultural land and markets. They also urged for the guarantee of safe transport for food, commercial goods, and humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, these organizations called on donors to continue providing life-saving assistance and to invest in livelihoods, local responders, and food systems that contribute to preventing future hunger. Warning of a Worsening Crisis: The humanitarian organizations warned that the timing and conditions of the harvest season could affect the worsening of famine and associated health risks. These organizations also linked declining access to food and lower income to increased risks of violence and abuse, emphasizing how hunger and insecurity can reinforce one another. The appeal focuses on protecting civilians and preserving the infrastructure and supply routes necessary for agriculture and trade during the harvest season. It also highlights the role of local groups and community networks in ensuring that food systems continue to flow when resources are limited and movement is unsafe.