19.5 million people in Sudan face high acute food insecurity

The United Kingdom and 31 other partners warned on October 23 that Sudan's food security is deteriorating sharply. An estimated 19.5 million people, about 41% of the population, face high acute food insecurity, including five million at emergency levels. If the trajectory is not reversed, the number of children with severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000 and the 14 areas currently assessed at risk could double. The statement identifies conflict, damaged infrastructure, disrupted food production and markets, systematic obstruction of aid, and El Niño-driven low rainfall and drought as connected causes. Signatories demand all crossline, cross-border and air routes be opened, aid workers protected, attacks on agriculture and food systems stopped, and international funding scaled alongside support for winter planting. These figures are a risk warning, not confirmation that every area is already in famine. The action window is narrowing before access, finance and local food production can recover together.