Khartoum / Geneva – January 16, 2026 – Food assistance for millions of people in war-torn Sudan could run out within weeks unless urgent funding is secured, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned, raising alarm over what it calls the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis.
As Sudan’s brutal civil war passes the grim milestone of more than 1,000 days, the WFP has issued an emergency appeal for $700 million in additional funding before March to keep lifesaving food operations running through June.
UN Warns of Imminent Food Shortages
In a statement released on Thursday, Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the agency has already been forced to slash food rations to the bare minimum required for survival.
“WFP has been forced to reduce rations to the absolute minimum for survival. By the end of March, we will have depleted our food stocks in Sudan,” Smith said.
“Without immediate additional funding, millions of people will be left without vital food assistance within weeks.”
The requested $700 million would allow the WFP to maintain operations in Sudan until at least June 2026, preventing a catastrophic collapse in food delivery across conflict-affected regions.
World’s Largest Hunger and Displacement Emergency
According to UN estimates, more than 21 million people in Sudan — nearly half the population — are facing acute food insecurity. Famine has already been confirmed in multiple locations, particularly in areas where prolonged fighting has made humanitarian access nearly impossible.
The conflict, which began nearly three years ago, pits Sudan’s military government against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It has:
- Killed tens of thousands of people
- Displaced more than 14 million, one of the largest displacement crises globally
- Devastated farming, markets, and supply routes
Entire communities have been forced to rely almost exclusively on international food aid to survive.
Funding Cuts and Global Crises Strain Aid Efforts
Humanitarian operations in Sudan are being undermined by a sharp decline in global aid funding, compounded by competing emergencies in Gaza, Ukraine, and other conflict zones.
The WFP noted that funding shortfalls have been exacerbated by an ideological shift in US foreign aid policy under President Donald Trump, alongside donor fatigue and rising global humanitarian needs.
These constraints have forced aid agencies to make difficult choices, leaving vulnerable populations increasingly exposed.
UN Officials Call for Urgent International Action
During a visit to northern Sudan on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the international community to intensify its response.
“An all-out effort is needed to enable humanitarian organisations to provide the much-needed assistance required under these circumstances,” Türk said.
He stressed that failure to act swiftly would result in avoidable mass suffering, especially among children, displaced families, and the elderly.
War Crimes Allegations and Failed Peace Efforts
Multiple diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict have so far failed. Efforts led by the United States, alongside regional mediators Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — collectively known as the Quad — have been unable to secure a lasting ceasefire.
Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have been accused of war crimes, with particular scrutiny on the RSF for alleged atrocities including:
- Indiscriminate killings
- Mass rape
- Widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure
The RSF is accused of committing these abuses during its retreat from Khartoum, leaving a trail of devastation across Darfur and Kordofan.
Regional Tensions Complicate Peace Talks
A high-level meeting in Cairo on Wednesday brought together representatives from the Quad, the United Nations, the European Union, and regional organisations in an attempt to revive peace negotiations.
However, progress has been hindered by political tensions. Sudan’s government has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF with weapons and financing — allegations the UAE has strongly denied.
These divisions have stalled ceasefire talks, prolonging the conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions on the ground.
A Race Against Time
With food stocks projected to run out by the end of March, aid agencies warn that Sudan is approaching a critical breaking point. Without immediate funding and improved access, millions could face starvation in the coming weeks.
The UN says the crisis in Sudan is not inevitable, but the window for action is rapidly closing.
Key Takeaways
- UN WFP warns Sudan food aid could run out by March 2026
- $700 million urgently needed to sustain operations through June
- Over 21 million people face acute hunger
- Conflict has displaced 14 million people
- Funding cuts and failed peace talks worsen humanitarian crisis
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