Famine in Sudan (2024–present)

Famine in Sudan
CountrySudan
Location
PeriodApril 2023 – present
Total deaths
Death rate
  • 1.5 – 2.4 per 10,000/day in Zamzam camp
  • 1.1 – 3.6 under-five children per 10,000/day in Zamzam camp
  • 100 deaths per day in Sudan
Refugees777,330 to Chad
695,143 to South Sudan
133,049 to Ethiopia
31,600 to the Central African Republic
CausesSudanese civil war (2023–present) (including war, humanitarian aid blockade, siege, looting)
ReliefUSD$315 million in humanitarian aid from the United States USD$70 million in humanitarian aid from UAE
Effect on demographics20% of population in "emergency food situation"
Preceded by1998 Sudan famine

Throughout 2024, the population of Sudan suffered from severe malnutrition and famine conditions as a result of the Sudanese civil war beginning in 2023, primarily in Darfur, Kordofan, and neighboring refugee-taking nations such as Chad. On 1 August, the Global Famine Review Committee released a report officially declaring that it was possible that IPC Phase 5 famine conditions were ongoing in North Darfur near Al-Fashir and there was a high risk of similar conditions throughout internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Human rights groups said famine conditions in Sudan had been worsened by the Rapid Support Forces looting cities and destroying harvests, while the Sudanese army restricted humanitarian aid deliveries by blocking food shipments into RSF-controlled areas, severely limiting access to life-saving assistance.

The Sudan Doctors Union estimated in January 2025 that 522,000 children had died due to malnutrition. Additionally, the United Nations reported that, during the war, Sudan "endured a 500% increase in verified cases of killings, sexual violence and recruitment into armed groups." In September 2025, the United Nations' World Food Program reported that 24.6 million people suffered from acute hunger and 2 million faced famine or risk of famine. By November 2025, the conflict caused nearly 12 million people to be forcibly displaced, both inside Sudan and across its borders.