Famine is spreading in Sudan as a result of a relentless war between the military and a paramilitary group that has wrecked the country and created the world’s largest displacement crisis, international hunger experts said Tuesday.
Experts from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said they detected famine in five areas in the Northeastern African country, including Sudan’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam, in North Darfur province where famine was announced for the first time in August.
Sudan has been roiled by a 20-month war that has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations.
This includes an estimated 3.2 million who have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.
The war began in April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, before spreading to other urban areas and the western Darfur region.
The war has been marked by atrocities, including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the UN and rights groups.
The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has investigated atrocities as alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The conflict has created vast hunger across the country. Food in the markets are scarce, and prices have spiked.
Aid groups also say they’re struggling to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access, especially in North Darfur province.
