UN Experts: Sudan Faces Unprecedented Famine in History

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UN human rights experts have warned that 97% of internally displaced people in Sudan, along with civilians who remained in their homes, are facing extreme levels of hunger.

In a statement issued on Thursday, independent experts accused the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using "starvation tactics" against 25 million civilians in the country. They stated, "Never in modern history have this many people faced famine as is currently happening in Sudan."

The experts said, "The world must pay attention to the largest modern famine unfolding in Sudan. We call for an immediate ceasefire, a political solution to end this horror, and urgent aid delivery. We have repeatedly warned the authorities in the past and urged action to prevent this unfolding disaster, but the situation has now reached critical levels that require immediate global attention."

The experts urged the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to stop obstructing aid delivery in Sudan through bureaucratic and administrative barriers and attacks on local volunteers. They also called on foreign governments to halt financial and military support to the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF.

They accused both warring parties and their foreign backers of deliberately using starvation, "which constitutes crimes against humanity and war crimes under international law."

The experts expressed concern over the failure of donors and international governments to fulfill their pledges, noting that the Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan, which allocated 1.44 billion for aid, has only received 50.8% of the required funding, leaving significant gaps.

The experts called on international humanitarian organizations and donors to provide local relief groups with cash and liquidity, assist local farmers in purchasing seeds and other agricultural inputs, and improve purchasing power through cash transfers to prevent further deepening of poverty.

They praised emergency response rooms and communal kitchens as one of the most reliable means of delivering food to civilians. They described them as "the main lifeline for civilians in this war," and called for their support and protection, noting that they are frequently targeted, harassed, and attacked by warring parties.