Sudan's Current Famine Marks Shift from Drought to War-Driven Scarcity
Sudan faces a nationwide hunger crisis distinct from past droughts, with war disrupting food systems across major cities.
Key points
- Sudan's current famine is driven by war rather than climate, unlike historical crises from 1684 to 1984.
- The crisis has spread nationwide, affecting major urban centers in Khartoum and agricultural regions.
- Historians note this is the first time the capital and major cities are simultaneously facing severe hunger.
Sudan is currently grappling with a catastrophic food crisis that historians describe as fundamentally different from previous famines. While past shortages were largely driven by environmental factors such as drought and locust infestations, the current emergency is the direct result of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.
The war, which began in April 2023, has severely disrupted agricultural production, trade routes, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. According to Al Jazeera, the situation has deteriorated sharply since 2024, leading to widespread displacement and a collapse of basic services in both rural and urban centers.
Historical Echoes of Past Hunger
Sudan’s collective memory is marked by several devastating food crises throughout its history. One of the earliest recorded incidents occurred in 1684 during the Funj Sultanate, where grain shortages led to mass displacement and a deadly smallpox outbreak. Similar climate-driven disasters struck during the Ottoman-Egyptian rule in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, exacerbated by severe droughts and low Nile water levels.
The most deeply remembered famine took place between 1888 and 1889 under the rule of Khalifa Abdullahi al-Taashi. Driven by a combination of drought, locusts, and conflict, this crisis is estimated to have killed more than one million people. Historical accounts describe extreme desperation, with some families reportedly staying indoors to avoid the humiliation of begging for food.
Nationwide Scope of Modern Crisis
Social historian Abdullah al-Tijani notes that previous famines, such as the 1984 drought in western Sudan, were often confined to specific regions. In those instances, the capital and major cities generally retained access to necessities and services. However, the current crisis has broken these historical patterns, with hunger and service collapse spreading across the entire country.
Al-Tijani told Al Jazeera that the disaster now affects major agricultural and urban centers in Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar, Darfur, and Kordofan. He described a systematic destruction of infrastructure and the targeting of markets and crops, forcing millions of citizens to displace both internally and across national borders.
Forward-Looking Humanitarian Challenges
The distinct man-made nature of this famine presents unique challenges for relief efforts. Unlike natural disasters that may allow for predictable recovery phases, the ongoing military conflict continues to obstruct access to affected areas. Observers warn that without a cessation of hostilities or secure corridors for aid, the humanitarian situation is likely to remain precarious in the coming months.
