New famine risk emerges in Sudan as El Niño drives drought

by@Reuters

Summary

Sudan is facing a new threat to its food security as farmers contend with a severe drought driven by El Niño, compounding the hardships brought about by over three years of civil war. Despite a lull in fighting that raised hopes for a better harvest, regions are experiencing their lowest rainfall in decades, with some areas reporting conditions reminiscent of the devastating famine of 1984. This drought has particularly affected regions dependent on rain-fed agriculture, leading the United Nations to warn that the risk of famine is escalating, as over 5 million people already face severe hunger following the protracted conflict. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to adapt to worsening conditions, prioritizing the most critical needs as aid becomes increasingly limited.

Analysis

IPC: The IPC, or Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, is a global partnership that delivers standardized assessments of acute food insecurity and malnutrition risks. It has issued recent alerts highlighting growing famine dangers in Sudan. The partnership is revising its projections upward due to the combined effects of conflict and El Niño-induced dry conditions. Sudan: The Republic of Sudan is a Northeast African country that has experienced civil conflict since 2023, severely disrupting agriculture and food production. The war has created pockets of famine in besieged areas. The ongoing El Niño-driven drought is now compounding these challenges, threatening further deterioration of food security nationwide. Samuel Clendon: Samuel Clendon is the head of programme for the World Food Programme's operations in Sudan. He has provided updates on anticipated increases in severe hunger linked to the drought. His assessments underscore the strain on aid resources amid the dual crises of war and weather. World Food Programme: The World Food Programme is the United Nations' primary humanitarian agency focused on food assistance and emergency relief operations globally. It has prioritized aid delivery to the most vulnerable populations in Sudan during the protracted conflict. The agency is adapting its operations to address additional pressures from widespread drought affecting harvests and livestock. Climate Impact: El Niño patterns are contributing to severe drought across parts of Africa, intensifying existing food security challenges in conflict zones. Humanitarian Response: Aid organizations are adjusting distributions and prioritizing the most critical needs as weather conditions worsen the effects of prolonged conflict.

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