US, EU and 30 Countries Warn Sudan Faces Growing Risk of Famine

The United States, the European Union and 30 countries have issued a joint warning about an "alarming deterioration" in food security in Sudan, urging "urgent action" to head off famine.

The statement was published by the US State Department on Monday. It called on the groups fighting in Sudan's civil war "to lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance." Signatories included Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, along with the European Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management.

"The risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, needs urgent action," the statement said. It added that the parties to the conflict "bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people."

Sudan's army has been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. A dispute over how to integrate the two forces turned into clashes in the capital, Khartoum. The war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, creating the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.

In June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a United Nations-backed hunger monitor known as the IPC, reported that 5.1 million people in Sudan faced severe hunger. Farmers have had trouble harvesting crops since the war began, and the IPC said a drought linked to El Nino pushed up food prices and cut supplies this year.

The statement cautioned that without immediate action, "the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000."

The signatories asked the warring sides to permit humanitarian operations along all routes across front lines and borders, including air access to the Darfur region. They also urged the parties to "sustain presence and protection of humanitarian personnel" across Sudan and to avoid attacking civilian infrastructure.

The group also appealed to the wider international community. "In the face of a potential famine, we call on all members of the international community to urgently scale up funding in response to increased needs and support efforts to ensure assistance reaches those most in need," the statement said.

Beyond the United States, Australia and Canada, the statement was signed by 28 European countries. Last month, the State Department said that neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF "represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan."