How the War in Sudan Created the Country's Worst Famine in History

 


The war in Sudan has caused the world's worst displacement and hunger crises. Over 13 million people have had to leave their homes. This includes more than 10 million internally displaced.

The crisis affects Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad. In North Darfur's Zamzam camp, famine has been confirmed. Here, 25.6 million people face severe food insecurity.

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been brutal. It has led to almost 15,000 deaths and displaced 8.2 million people. The United Nations says Sudan is facing one of the worst famines in decades.

They warn that 97% of internally displaced persons are facing severe hunger. This is a dire situation.




The Origins and Escalation of Sudan's Civil War

The conflict in Sudan has deep roots in its complex history. A power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is key. This tension grew after Omar al-Bashir's 30-year dictatorship ended in 2019, leading to a transitional government.

The Power Struggle Between SAF and RSF

The SAF and RSF are fighting for power and influence after al-Bashir's regime ended. The RSF, formed from the Janjaweed militia, has challenged the SAF's traditional dominance. This has led to a fierce battle for control.

From Political Instability to Armed Conflict

The transitional government faced many challenges, including a coup in October 2021 led by General al-Burhan. The proposal to integrate the RSF into the regular army sparked violence in April 2023. This struggle has plunged Sudan into a devastating civil war, affecting stability and people's well-being.

Key Events Leading to the Crisis

The Sudan conflict started with South Sudan's secession in 2011. This hit the Sudanese economy hard and caused political and social upheavals. The civil war consequences have been severe, with the SAF vs RSF struggle adding to the political instability in Sudan.



Unprecedented Scale of Displacement and Food Insecurity

The conflict in Sudan has devastated the country's farms and food supply. Near-total harvest failures have happened because of fighting and bad weather. Over half the population, 25.6 million people, faced severe food insecurity from June to September 2024.

Impact on Agricultural Production

War has forced 13 million people from their homes, starting in April 2023. Over 10 million Sudanese are now internally displaced. Almost 2 million have fled to neighboring countries, filling refugee camps.

This mass displacement has stopped farming, causing food, water, and supply shortages.

Disruption of Food Supply Chains

The conflict has broken Sudan's food supply chains. Food prices have soared over 200%, and fuel prices have jumped more than five times. This has worsened food insecurity and displacement, putting vulnerable people at risk of malnutrition and starvation.

Critical Statistics on Population Displacement

The war in Sudan has caused massive displacement. More than 14 million people have been displaced, over a fifth of the country's population. This huge number has overwhelmed neighboring countries, with refugee camps struggling to meet the needs of the displaced Sudanese.

displaced populations
"Half of Sudan's population is facing starvation, with the imminent threat of one of the worst famines in decades."

The Humanitarian Crisis in Numbers

The starvation crisis in Sudan is severe, with over 25 million people needing urgent help. Shockingly, 755,000 are at risk of famine, as reported by the World Food Program. The civil war has made things worse, damaging farms and food delivery systems.

Women and children are hit hard by the crisis. Over 90% of school kids have lost their chance at education. Diseases like cholera and malaria are spreading fast because health services are failing. One in five households in the Zamzam camp is currently facing extreme food shortages, and acute malnutrition rates remain above the famine threshold in the camp.

The need for help is huge, but funding is short. The Sudan humanitarian plan needs $1.44 billion, but it's only got 50.8% so far. This has left many without aid. Over 8.1 million people have been forced to leave their homes, and 3 million have fled to other countries. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is truly staggering, with the risk of a major famine if we don't act fast.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Women and Children

The conflict in Sudan has hit women and children hard. There's been a rise in gender-based violence, with many reports of abuse. Girls are at risk of child marriage and exploitation, threatening their future.

Rise in Gender-Based Violence

The war has made women and girls more vulnerable to violence. Humanitarian groups have seen a spike in abuse cases. It's clear that we need to protect these vulnerable people urgently.

Children's Access to Education and Healthcare

The war has shut down schools, leaving millions of kids without education. This is a big problem for Sudan's future. It's also made healthcare hard to get, putting kids at risk of diseases and malnutrition.

Malnutrition Among Young Population

Food shortages have led to high malnutrition rates in kids. Millions are at risk of starvation. We must act fast to help these children get the food and care they need.

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