Sudan's Looming Famine Crisis: Escalating Conflict Risks Mass Hunger

A global hunger monitor has warned that 14 areas in Sudan, including Darfur and Khartoum, face the risk of famine if military conflict escalates. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update indicates that 755,000 people are at the highest risk of extreme hunger, while 8.5 million face severe food shortages.

There is a risk of famine in 14 areas across Sudan if the conflict between military factions escalates further, a global hunger monitor said on Thursday.

The assessment means that famine has a realistic chance of occurring under a worst-case scenario in the 14 areas, which include parts of Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan and El Gezira state, according to an update from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Some 755,000 people in Sudan face the most severe level of extreme hunger, while 8.5 million or 18% of the population face food shortages that could result in acute malnutrition and death or require emergency coping strategies, according to the update. (Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Nafisa Eltahir)