US and allies warn of famine risk in Sudan, urge aid access

A group of countries, including the United States and major European powers, have warned that Sudan is facing a worrying deterioration in food security and called on both sides of the conflict to "remove all obstacles to humanitarian assistance."

In a joint statement, the countries said that with the risk of famine looming, they urge the international community to increase funding and call on financial institutions to adapt their existing programs to address the food security situation.

According to Reuters, the joint statement released by the US State Department said, "Sudan is experiencing a worrying decline in food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, requires urgent action." The statement added, "Both parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people."

Sudan’s army has been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, after disagreements over issues including how to integrate their forces as part of a planned transition to civilian rule.

In June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitoring body supported by the United Nations, reported that 5.1 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger. Farmers have struggled to harvest their crops since the outbreak of civil war in 2023 and have also faced a recent drought.

The joint statement urged both sides to allow humanitarian operations across all crossline and cross-border routes, including air access to the Darfur region. It also called on both parties "to ensure the continued presence and protection of humanitarian workers" throughout Sudan and to refrain from attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The statement was signed by the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Commissioner for Equality and Crisis Management, and others.

Last month, the US State Department said that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the Rapid Support Forces, nor any of their leaders, "represent a legitimate or constitutional government for Sudan." The war has displaced more than 14 million people and triggered waves of ethnically motivated killings.

A United Nations investigation in July found that the Rapid Support Forces carried out mass killings, rape, and forced starvation in a city they besieged and captured last year, as part of a deliberate policy amounting to genocide.

Washington has also accused the Rapid Support Forces of committing genocide and the army of committing war crimes. Both sides have previously denied any wrongdoing.