Page 44 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Sudan

Two years since the start of the conflict,

Sudan is facing a severe food security catastrophe

In April 2023, violent conflict broke This disruption not only jeopardizes
out between the Sudanese Armed the livelihoods of rural communities
Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in but also poses a serious threat to the
the capital city, Khartoum. Two years country’s overall crop production and
on, the crisis has spiraled into one of food security.
the world’s worst humanitarian emer- 4. Livestock interventions are criti-
gencies – triggering the largest dis- cally underfunded
placement crisis globally and unprec- Livestock systems are also under
edented levels of hunger. immense pressure. The destruction of
Sudan is facing a severe food se- vaccine manufacturing and veterinary
curity catastrophe. Nearly 30.4 mil- ute seeds. Without it, many farmers supply chains has left millions of ani-
lion people – almost two-thirds of the may miss this critical planting window, mals exposed to disease. For many ru-
population, including 15.6 million chil- leading to reduced harvests, deeper ral households, livestock is more than
dren – require urgent humanitarian as- food insecurity and fewer options for a source of income – it’s a cornerstone
sistance. More than half the population families already under immense pres- of nutrition, resilience and food secu-
is acutely food insecure, with famine sure. Timely action now can still make rity. As animal health worsens, so do
already confirmed in multiple areas. a difference. the prospects for entire communities.
Agriculture, the main source of food 2. Limited access remains a persis- In 2024, FAO vaccinated 2.8 million
and income for up to 80 percent of the tent challenge animals, distributed 8 300 goats and
population, is being dismantled by This crisis is not only about food scar- delivered 850 tonnes of feed and min-
violence, displacement and economic city – it’s about access. Markets have eral licks to livestock keeping families.
collapse. With the lean season nearing been looted, supply chains severed At the same time, it delivered about 5
and below-average rainfall forecast and roads rendered unsafe. Essential 300 tonnes of certified seeds to 2.8 mil-
this year, the window to prevent fur- items like seeds, fertilizer and fuel are lion people – enabling them to plant
ther deterioration is closing fast. out of reach, and prices have soared. and rebuild livelihoods.
Here are five things you should know Many families simply cannot access or These interventions directly sup-
about how the conflict is threatening afford what they need to survive. ported food production and income
agriculture and food security in Sudan: Limited access continues to block generation, but they only scratched
1. Food insecurity has reached his- life-saving aid from reaching mil- the surface of what is needed. Without
toric levels – and the 2025 planting lions—especially those trapped in scaled-up support, more families will
season hangs in the balance conflict zones such as Darfur and the lose their crops, animals and the abil-
Conflict continues to rage through Kordofan regions. Humanitarian work- ity to feed themselves.
Sudan, leaving more than half the pop- ers themselves face grave dangers. 5. The crisis risks becoming forgot-
ulation acutely food insecure. Famine Since the onset of the conflict, more ten
conditions have been confirmed in at than 110 aid workers have been killed, While other crises dominate head-
least five areas, and millions are at im- injured, abducted or remain missing. lines, Sudan’s descent into famine
mediate risk of famine in the conflict Without safe, unhindered access, continues largely out of sight. In 2024
affected regions of Darfur, Khartoum the crisis will only deepen. Urgent ac- only 37 percent of the requested fund-
and Kordofan. This marks the highest tion is needed to ensure life-saving ing was received. Now in 2025, with
level of food insecurity recorded in the support can reach every corner of the humanitarian budgets tightening, the
Sudan’s history. country. outlook remains deeply uncertain.
Children haven’t been spared. Ac- 3. Key production areas face severe This level of support falls dangerously
cording to the United Nations Chil- disruption short in a country where one in two
dren’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 3.2 Sudan’s agriculture sector is under people are acutely food insecure. Be-
million children under the age of five growing strain as the ongoing conflict hind every number is a person navigat-
projected to face acute malnutrition in continues to disrupt key production ar- ing impossible choices just to survive.
2025. eas. Farmers have been displaced and With famine confirmed in at least
FAO is ready to deliver time-sen- forced to leave their lands, and access five areas and millions more at risk,
sitive support to help farmers plant to production inputs and safe access far more must be done to ensure the
on time, but additional funding is ur- to farmland is becoming increasingly world doesn’t look away and that fami-
gently needed to procure and distrib- challenging with each passing day. lies aren’t left to face this crisis alone.
42 Arab Agriculture 2025