Urgent action needed to avert further catastrophic food insecurity in Sudan

24.5 million people in Sudan are without enough food, 3.5 million children are malnourished, figures that could tragically worsen as the lean season approaches.

The lean season is the period between harvests when food stocks are at their lowest. In Sudan, this season typically occurs from June to September. This is traditionally the period when food insecurity peaks, as the stocks from the last harvest deplete and the next harvest is not yet ready.

The Sudanese Red Crescent Society, which has around 12,000 volunteers supporting communities across all 18 states, has been distributing food aid and setting up communal kitchens, providing almost 2.5 million meals or food parcels to those most in need. However, escalations in the conflict, such as the strikes on Port Sudan and the ongoing deadly struggle for the western city of El-Fasher is making the provision of aid to the most vulnerable even more challenging.

The food crisis in Sudan is complex and manifests differently across the country. In some areas, such as the capital Khartoum, food is available in the markets, but prices are incredibly high meaning many are priced out of being able to feed themselves and their families. In other places, such as El Fasher, which has been under heavy bombardment for months, there are severe shortages of food and water, leaving it a hotspot for civilians suffering from the worst excesses of food insecurity.

Throughout the crisis, cash assistance programmes have been supporting civilians to meet their immediate needs, most of whom unsurprisingly choose to buy food. Over the next few months, new funding from the British Red Cross’ Disaster Fund will help to significantly scale up a Danish Red Cross cash assistance program that will support 1,050 households facing the highest risk of the most extreme forms of food insecurity.

The programme will be implemented by volunteers and staff of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society and roll out in two states - the capital Khartoum, a hotspot for high food prices and White Nile state, hosting many internally displaced people. Cash assistance programmes allow people to maintain their dignity and helps to cover their essential needs, like food, water and shelter.

“Our aid workers have distributed millions of meals to those most at risk, however, escalating hostilities are hampering their best efforts and as the lean season draws closer, the already unacceptable level of food insecurity could worsen. It doesn’t have to be this way, there is food in Sudan, but high prices in places like Khartoum and severe armed clashes in cities such as El Fasher, continue to pose serious challenges that affect ordinary people.

“Damage to critical infrastructure has further complicated the transport of food, combined with the oncoming lean season these factors could cause a ‘perfect storm’. Now more than ever, unimpeded humanitarian access and the safety of aid workers remain essential. Strikes on civilian infrastructure must be avoided, and international humanitarian law upheld. Otherwise, food insecurity may continue to spread to catastrophic levels in Sudan.”

The British Red Cross is supporting the response in Sudan through its Disaster Fund. If you can, please donate to the British Red Cross Disaster Fund.

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.