Desperate Times: Sudan’s Struggle Against Famine and Conflict

Sudan, once a land of ancient civilizations, now faces a crisis of biblical proportions. Children and families are battling hunger as the country endures its worst recorded levels of acute food insecurity. Edgar Sandoval, the president of World Vision U.S., describes a landscape of fear and chaos where civil war and famine are tearing the nation apart.

In the heart of this turmoil, 25.6 million Sudanese are grappling with severe food shortages, with 8.5 million on the brink of famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warns of famine in 14 regions, including Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan. The civil war ignited in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is not the sole culprit. Three consecutive years of below-average rainfall have decimated crops, compounding the crisis.

Sandoval’s recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border painted a grim picture. He met an 8-year-old girl who had witnessed the brutal death of her parents. Though her aunts helped her escape, the trauma she carries is symbolic of countless Sudanese children. Another encounter with a mother and her severely malnourished son, weighing only 26 pounds, highlighted the extreme desperation. Villagers fight over anthills to scrape out the millets stored by ants—an image that starkly captures their plight.

The United Nations Children’s Fund reports nearly 9 million children suffering from acute food insecurity, with 730,000 at imminent risk of death. Over 3,800 children have died since the conflict escalated in April 2023. World Vision’s efforts have reached 1.2 million people with emergency aid, yet the need far exceeds available resources. The U.N.’s $2.7 billion response plan for Sudan is severely underfunded, with only 17.4% of the required funds raised.

Despite the dangers, World Vision has been steadfast in Sudan, partnering with local churches to deliver aid. Sandoval emphasizes that increased global awareness and generosity are crucial to alleviating the suffering. “Every little bit helps,” he urges, calling for more support to combat the dire situation in Sudan.