FAO: Famine risk in Sudan is real

Millions in Sudan are on the brink of famine, with a "window of opportunity" for the international community to act, as the main planting season approaches, according to a senior official from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience, highlighted the severity of the situation during his visit to Sudan, where a food security crisis is driven by a year-long war between rival military forces.

"Across Sudan, 18 million people – more than a third of the population – are going hungry," said Paulsen, emphasizing the need for immediate support, especially for farmers preparing for the main planting season. FAO requires $104 million to assist just over 10 million Sudanese this year, but it has received less than 10 percent of the funding.  Access to farming lands is also a pressing issue, both for farmers and humanitarian agencies. Paulsen outlined FAO's strategy, focusing on supporting farmers in restarting or boosting crop production, along with attention to livestock. The goal is to prevent famine by addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

Conflict is identified as the primary driver of the crisis, with nine out of ten people facing emergency food insecurity located in conflict hotspots. Access to farming lands and technical assistance are critical for farmers, who are also affected by climate dynamics such as flooding.

Paulsen stressed the importance of collaboration with Sudanese authorities, citing ongoing technical cooperation, especially in desert locust control. However, he emphasized that more support is needed to prevent the worsening food insecurity situation.