UN warns of potential famine in 14 Sudanese regions

755,000 people face phase-five 'catastrophic' conditions in 10 states, including Greater Darfur and Khartoum

KHARTOUM:

The United Nations on Thursday warned of the risk of famine in 14 locations across Sudan.

"The risk of famine threatens residents, people uprooted by the war and refugees in no less than 14 areas covering Greater Darfur, Greater Kordofan, and Al Jazira states, as well as hotspots in Khartoum," the UN said on its website, citing the latest report by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a multi-partner initiative for improving food security and decision-making.

"Even worse, 755,000 people face phase-five 'catastrophic' conditions in 10 states, including in Greater Darfur as well as South and North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Al Jazira and Khartoum," it said.

It noted that 8.5 million people, or 18 percent of Sudan's total population, now suffer from the phase-four "emergency" level of food insecurity.

Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023, which has claimed more than 16,650 lives, according to the Sudan situation report updated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on June 24.