The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a famine in El Fasher, Sudan, raising grave concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a stark warning about the potential for the famine to spread to other parts of Sudan and neighboring South Sudan.
Dr. Tedros highlighted recent reports from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed system, indicating that approximately 50 million people across Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing severe hunger and struggling to secure food for their families.
“Famine has been confirmed in parts of Sudan, specifically El Fasher and Kadugli,” Dr. Tedros stated. “There is a real risk that famine could affect other areas of the country and South Sudan.” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, explaining that a famine declaration signifies that people are already dying from the effects of malnutrition. He called for a significant increase in food aid to Sudan.
The WHO, with the support of its partners, is reportedly working to reach those in need of medical care. However, the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continues to exacerbate the crisis. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of approximately 13 million people, and widespread famine, contributing to one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.
The RSF gained control of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, late last year. Local and international organizations have reported that the RSF has committed atrocities against civilians. Currently, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region, except for some northern areas of North Darfur, including the Karnoi, Umbro, and El Tina provinces, which remain under army control.
