Famine in Sudan (2024–present) in the context of Rapid Support Forces

⭐ Core Definition: Famine in Sudan (2024–present)

Throughout 2024, the population of Sudan suffered from severe malnutrition and famine conditions as a result of the Sudanese civil war beginning in 2023, primarily in Darfur, Kordofan, and neighboring refugee-taking nations such as Chad. On 1 August, the Global Famine Review Committee released a report officially declaring that it was possible that IPC Phase 5 famine conditions were ongoing in North Darfur near Al-Fashir and there was a high risk of similar conditions throughout internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Human rights groups said famine conditions in Sudan had been worsened by the Rapid Support Forces looting cities and destroying harvests, while the Sudanese army restricted humanitarian aid deliveries by blocking food shipments into RSF-controlled areas, severely limiting access to life-saving assistance.

The Sudan Doctors Union estimated in January 2025 that 522,000 children had died due to malnutrition. Additionally, the United Nations reported that, during the war, Sudan "endured a 500% increase in verified cases of killings, sexual violence and recruitment into armed groups." In September 2025, the United Nations' World Food Program reported that 24.6 million people suffered from acute hunger and 2 million faced famine or risk of famine. By November 2025, the conflict caused nearly 12 million people to be forcibly displaced, both inside Sudan and across its borders.

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Famine in Sudan (2024–present) in the context of Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

Since 15 April 2023, there has been an active civil war in Sudan between two rival factions of the country's military government. The conflict involves the internationally recognized government controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Republican Guard; and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Hemedti, who leads the broader Janjaweed coalition. Several smaller armed groups have also taken part. Fighting began on 15 April 2023 after a power struggle within the military government that had taken power following the October 2021 coup. The conflict has caused nearly 12 million people to be forcibly displaced, both inside Sudan and across its borders, making it one of the largest displacement crises in recent history.

Fighting was largely concentrated in the capital, Khartoum, where the conflict began with the Battle of Khartoum, and in the Darfur region. Many civilians in Darfur have been reported dead as part of the Masalit genocide, which have been described as ethnic cleansing or genocide. Sudan has been described as facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis; nearly 25 million people are experiencing extreme hunger according to UN estimates. On 7 January 2025, the United States said it had determined that the RSF and allied militias committed genocide.

View the full Wikipedia page for Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

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