Sudan is facing the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis after three years of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The ongoing war has pushed the country into a severe food emergency, with 33.7 million people now in need of assistance in 2026. Around 41 percent of the population is experiencing acute food insecurity, with famine already confirmed in several areas and millions more at risk.
The crisis has trapped millions in a cycle of hunger, with conditions worsening as the critical planting season approaches. Famine has been confirmed in places such as El Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan, while millions more face extreme food shortages across Darfur and Kordofan. Children are among the hardest hit, with over 4.2 million under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition, including 800,000 facing severe malnutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization is scaling up emergency agricultural support to help farmers plant crops and prevent further deterioration in food production.
Despite rising needs, funding for humanitarian efforts remains critically low. The 2026 response plan requires $2.9 billion, but only a small portion has been secured so far. FAO itself needs $99 million to support 1.5 million households with seeds, tools, and fertilizers, yet funding has been minimal, with only limited contributions such as support from Italy. Without sustained investment, fragile gains in food production risk being reversed.
Agricultural production has already declined significantly due to conflict, displacement, and economic pressures. National cereal output for the 2025/26 season is estimated at 5.2 million tonnes, a sharp drop compared to previous years. Timely agricultural support remains essential, as missing the planting window could lead to further declines in harvests and deepen food insecurity across the country.
Livestock, a vital source of food and income for rural communities, has also been heavily affected. Sudan’s livestock sector, which includes around 115 million animals, has suffered from disease outbreaks, reduced grazing access, and market disruptions. FAO vaccination campaigns have reached millions of animals and helped protect milk supplies, but only a small portion of the national herd has been covered, leaving significant gaps.
Amid competing global crises, there are growing concerns that Sudan’s situation risks being overlooked. Humanitarian agencies stress that restoring agriculture is one of the most effective ways to combat hunger and build resilience. FAO plans to reach 7.5 million people with urgent support in 2026, but warns that without immediate funding and global attention, the crisis could worsen further, putting millions more lives at risk.
