Sudan’s Forgotten War: Famine Looms as Crisis Deepens into 2026
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A growing consensus among aid organizations designates the ongoing conflict in Sudan as the world’s most neglected crisis, with conditions rapidly deteriorating and a potential famine threatening millions as 2026 approaches. The war-torn nation, rich in oil, gold, and agricultural land, has descended into the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
A Nation Displaced and Devastated
The conflict began as a power struggle over the integration of the RSF into the national army, but has since spiraled into a widespread catastrophe. The United Nations reports that approximately 14 million people have been displaced within Sudan and across its borders, seeking refuge from the relentless violence. Estimates of the death toll range from 40,000 to a staggering 250,000, though accurate figures remain elusive due to ongoing fighting, disrupted communications, and the withdrawal of many aid organizations and observers.
“The Sudan crisis should be front page news every single day,” stated a humanitarian director at Save the Children. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has announced it will be forced to reduce food assistance to the bare minimum for Sudanese civilians starting in January 2026, citing critical funding shortages.
Kordofan: The New Epicenter of Suffering
Recent fighting has become increasingly concentrated in the Kordofan region, a strategically vital area controlled by the SAF but surrounded by RSF forces. Kordofan serves as the crucial link between army-held territories in the north, including the capital Khartoum, and RSF-controlled areas in the western Darfur region and parts of the south.
According to Jan Sebastian Friedrich-Rust, executive director of Action Against Hunger’s German section, violence in Kordofan has “escalated dramatically” in recent weeks. The siege of communities in Dilling and Kadugli is preventing the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, leaving residents without food or access to medical care. Famine has already been declared in el-Fasher and Kadugli, with 20 additional locations in Darfur and Kordofan facing an acute risk of famine by January 2026.
A Looming Food Security Catastrophe
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates that 21.2 million Sudanese – nearly half the country’s population – are currently experiencing acute food insecurity as of mid-December. This number is expected to rise sharply as the WFP drastically reduces rations due to insufficient funding.
“If the world does not urgently step up, diplomatically, financially, and morally, an already catastrophic situation will deteriorate further with millions of Sudanese and their neighbors paying the price,” warned a regional director for the UN Refugee Agency. Thousands have already fled the fighting in Kordofan, leaving the remaining population facing starvation.
Civilians Targeted in a Brutal Conflict
Evidence suggests that civilians are not merely caught in the crossfire, but are actively targeted by both sides of the conflict. Action Against Hunger’s Friedrich-Rust expressed concern that Kordofan could become a second el-Fasher, referencing the mass atrocities committed by the RSF during their takeover of the city in November.
A recent report by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), utilizing satellite imagery, revealed that the RSF has been systematically destroying and concealing evidence of mass killings. Of 150 identified potential mass grave sites, nearly 60 are no longer visible, replaced by eight newly disturbed earth areas.
“The reality is that both parties to the conflict and their allies haven’t just failed to protect civilians, but the targeting of civilians is at the heart of their warfare,” stated a Human Rights Watch advocate. While the RSF bears the majority of responsibility for attacks on civilians, hospitals, and aid workers, the SAF is also committing widespread violations, including mass detentions of individuals suspected of supporting the RSF – even including humanitarian workers. Reports of deaths in SAF-run prisons and a resurgence of death penalty sentences are raising further alarm.
International Response Falls Short
The European Union recently began airlifting 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Darfur, a program scheduled to conclude in January 2026 at a cost of €3.5 million ($4.1 million). While welcomed, aid organizations emphasize that this assistance represents only a small fraction of the resources needed. The cessation of USAID funding and cuts to foreign aid from European nations, including Germany, have forced the closure of vital programs, such as local soup kitchens. Currently, only 35% of the required funding for humanitarian aid has been secured.
There are also growing calls for greater accountability, with concerns raised over the lack of sanctions against RSF leader General Mohammed Dagalo, known as Hemedti, despite mounting evidence linking him to widespread crimes. Calls are also being made to address the alleged backers of the conflict, with Egypt reportedly supporting the SAF and the United Arab Emirates allegedly supporting the RSF, despite denials from Abu Dhabi.
The situation in Sudan demands immediate and sustained international attention, lest a preventable humanitarian catastrophe engulf the nation and destabilize the wider region.
