Sudan Faces Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe As Famine And Conflict Escalate: UN Experts

GENEVA (14 April 2025) – As the conflict in Sudan reaches the two-year mark, UN human rights experts raised alarm that widespread starvation and a distressing surge in acute malnutrition are unfolding.

“Sudan is experiencing the most extreme hunger crisis globally,” the experts said. “Without immediate humanitarian intervention, hundreds of thousands could perish.”

Conflict-related famine, mass displacement and extreme violence and killings continue to devastate millions of people. 24.6 million people – about half the population – are experiencing acute food insecurity, with 638,000 facing catastrophic hunger, a record high.

Children continue to be caught in the relentless crossfire of aerial bombardments and shelling, suffering horrific casualties and enduring grave, lasting harm to their safety, education, and well-being.

The experts noted that the conflict has led to unprecedented displacement, with 8.6 million people internally displaced since the start of the conflict and nearly 4 million forced to flee across borders. Sudan’s displaced population has endured extreme suffering and chronic insecurity in their search for shelter with immense protection needs as the country’s ruinous war is approaching its third year.

“The displacement of farmers who can no longer cultivate their land has contributed to a vicious cycle of agricultural collapse, hunger, and escalating violence due to competition and scarcity of resources,” the experts said. “As farms are destroyed, food supplies dwindle, pushing more people into famine.”

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Sudan’s agricultural sector has suffered catastrophic losses, with two consecutive farming seasons under-utilised due to the conflict. Farmland has been destroyed, supply routes disrupted, and essential agricultural equipment looted. Two thirds of the population depend on agriculture for food and livelihoods and are in urgent need of support with essential resources before the planting seasons starts in June.

“Staple food prices remain exorbitant, with sorghum and wheat flour still over 100 per cent more expensive than in early 2024, putting food out of reach for millions,” the experts said.

The IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) has confirmed famine in at least five areas, with projections indicating that five more areas will succumb to famine between December 2024 and May 2025. Seventeen other areas remain at high risk.

Recent funding cuts have led to the closure of a large number of emergency food kitchens. With the rainy season approaching, pre-positioning of aid is required. “Access to humanitarian aid has been systematically obstructed, with parties to the conflict deliberately blocking or looting essential supplies including health supplies,” the experts said.

They noted that local emergency responders have been targeted, exacerbating the suffering of already vulnerable groups of the population. “Human rights defenders working towards peace and documenting human rights violations – including sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls - which amounts to sexual slavery – have also been singled out and targeted by both warring parties,” they said.

In addition, the ongoing information blackout suggests that the situation may be far worse than what is currently being reported. “Internet access must be restored to facilitate the flow of information and document human rights violations,” the experts added.

“A climate of fear has gripped the residents of Khartoum, Al-Gazirah and Sennar states” the experts said. Since the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias have taken effective control of the capital on 26 March 2025, civilians have returned to find their homes destroyed and face severe shortages of water, food, and other basic necessities. We are concerned by reports of reprisal attacks and summary killings and executions by the SAF and their allies, who accuse civilians of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Aid cuts have forced UN agencies and civil society organisations to scale back operations, putting at risk continued assistance to millions of people.

“The international community, including the private sector, must unite in solidarity and increase its attention to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis,” the experts said.

They stressed the importance of alternative, safe aid routes and called on both warring parties to facilitate access to humanitarian assistance.

“Third party support for warring parties prolongs the conflict, fuels further violence and obstructs peace efforts. Ending such support is a crucial international obligation. “Without collective global action, Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe will only worsen, with devastating consequences for millions of innocent civilians,” the experts said.

Note:

*The Experts: Michael Fakhri; Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Cecilia M Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children; Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons ; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences ; Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt; Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Beatriz Miranda-Galarza, Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation; Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Astrid Puentes Riaño, Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; Mr. Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; Mr. Matthew Gillett (Chair-Rapporteur), Ms. Ganna Yudkivska (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Miriam Estrada Castillo, and Mr. Mumba Malila, Working Group on arbitrary detention; Lyra Jakulevičienė (Chairperson), Pichamon Yeophantong (Vice-Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym, Robert McCorquodale and Damilola Olawuyi, Working Group on business and human rights; Geneviève Savigny (Chair-Rapporteur), Carlos Duarte, Uche Ewelukwa, Shalmali Guttal, Davit Hakobyan, Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas; Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohammed Al-Obaidi,Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on international order.

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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