Joint statement on the risk of famine in Sudan

The governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Republic of Latvia, Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary and the European Commission made the following statement today

October 23, 2026 - Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada

The governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Republic of Latvia, Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary and the European Commission made the following statement today:

“Sudan is experiencing an alarming deterioration in its food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, needs urgent action. There is no time to lose to save lives and prevent famine.

“An estimated 19.5 million people (41% of the country’s population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Without immediate action to reverse the current trajectory, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000. The number of food insecure areas, initially assessed at 14, is expected to double.

“Conflict is the key driver of Sudan’s hunger crisis, displacing millions of people, damaging critical infrastructure and disrupting healthcare provision, food production, supply chains and markets. The situation is being exacerbated by systematic obstruction of aid and the effects of El Niño, which has resulted in reduced rainfall and increased drought across over half of Sudan.