Sudan's worsening civil war, combined with drought and severe aid shortages, is pushing communities across Darfur and Kordofan toward increasingly dangerous levels of food insecurity.

A new warning from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), reported on October 12, highlights deteriorating conditions in areas already devastated by fighting between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to the IPC's May assessment, nearly 19.5 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity, including approximately 135,000 experiencing the most severe classification.

Conflict has disrupted farming, markets and humanitarian access, while drought has further reduced agricultural production.

Why it matters: Sudan's humanitarian emergency demonstrates how prolonged warfare can destroy civilian survival systems even far from active front lines. Without improved access for aid and a reduction in fighting, the threat of famine could spread further.