Sudan
- Over 19 million
- people projected to be food insecure
- 3.7 million
- people are internally displaced (before renewed conflict in April 2023)
- 46.7 million
- population
The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to escalate, with a steady increase in hunger. A record number of people, approximately one-third of the population, was already facing hunger before the current conflict erupted.
The ongoing violence has the potential to plunge millions more people into hunger. After a brief pause due to ongoing unrest and insecurity, WFP has restarted its operations to address the immediate needs of refugees, host communities and internally displaced people. WFP has activated its highest level of emergency response for the operation.
Tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees are fleeing to escape the violence in the country – most of them heading to Egypt, South Sudan and Chad. WFP is assisting newly arrived refugees with emergency food assistance. However, WFP is concerned about the food security situation in neighbouring countries, many of which are already dealing with multiple crises of their own.
In addition to conflict, increasing food and fuel prices, displacement, poor harvests and climate shocks such as floods are the main drivers of food insecurity.
What WFP is doing in Sudan
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Food assistance
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WFP provides food assistance as a first lifeline and works to ensure that people affected by shocks have access to food. Vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people, returnees and shock-affected resident communities receive either food or cash, to provide choice. Through Food Assistance for Assets programmes, communities receive food or cash to fill their immediate food gap. In return, community members work on projects including building or restoring infrastructure like roads or schools.
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Nutrition
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WFP aims to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition in emergency and recovery situations, reduce stunting (low height for age due to chronic malnutrition) and prevent mineral and vitamin deficiencies through nutrition-specific initiatives. WFP provides ready-to-use-supplementary food to children under 5 and pregnant or nursing mothers who have been diagnosed with MAM. In collaboration with the private sector, WFP launched VITAMINO, a micronutrient product that is distributed to internally displaced people, refugees and vulnerable residents, and that is sold through retail outlets to reach urban populations. WFP also supports national efforts to promote consumption of fortified foods and provides technical assistance for the development of relevant legislation and standards.
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Food systems and safety nets
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WFP helps to improve food systems and safety nets to strengthen the resilience of food-insecure families. Through training in vocational skills, people are able to improve their livelihood opportunities and increase their income. WFP also supports farmers in accessing markets, while improving irrigation systems to boost agricultural productivity.
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Post-harvest losses
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Farmers in Sudan lose an estimated 30 percent of their crops after harvest, often due to improper storage. To reduce post-harvest losses, WFP is promoting the use of hermetic storage bags and airtight silos among smallholder famers, thereby creating a market demand. Farmers improve their profit margins, with more of their crops safely stored for selling on the market. Meanwhile, WFP is also engaging the private sector to make the hermetic bags readily available on the market at reasonable prices, which also helps to boost the local economy.
Sudan news releases
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Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Sudan is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
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Find out more about the state of food security in Sudan
Visit the food security analysis pageContacts
Office
653 A Block 68 Arkawit, PO Box 913
Khartoum
Sudan
Phone
+249 912 002 000
Fax
+249 183248003