As Sudan’s ruinous civil war rages on, a looming specter of famine grows ever larger. In response, the UK has announced a doubling of its aid budget to the war-ravaged nation, hoping to stave off a humanitarian catastrophe that some fear could surpass Ethiopia’s infamous famine of the 1980s.
The £113 million aid package, announced by foreign secretary David Lammy, aims to support over a million people affected by Sudan’s conflict. The substantial increase in assistance reflects the dire situation on the ground, with Sudan now considered not just the worst humanitarian crisis globally, but one edging towards historic proportions.
A Weapon of War
At the heart of Sudan’s spiraling crisis lies a brutal civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Amidst the chaos, both sides have repeatedly weaponized starvation, blocking critical aid deliveries to vulnerable populations.
Tomorrow, the UK is set to push a draft UN Security Council resolution demanding civilian protection and unrestricted aid passage in Sudan. Foreign secretary Lammy stressed the urgency of the matter:
“We cannot deliver aid without access. Starvation must not be used as a weapon of war, and we can only stop this famine if every border crossing and route is open, accessible, and safe.”
– David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary
A Race Against Time
Despite the influx of aid, concerns are mounting over the impact of ongoing fighting in el-Gezira state, Sudan’s agricultural heartland. If the conflict continues to disrupt food production and supply chains, officials fear the death toll could reach catastrophic levels.
A recent study found that the war’s casualty figures are already much higher than previously reported. Of the 61,000 deaths in Khartoum alone, researchers discovered that the majority – around 35,000 – were due to preventable diseases and starvation, not direct violence.
Reports have also emerged of a deadly cholera outbreak in the besieged town of al-Hilaliya, where hundreds may have perished. The town, home to tens of thousands of locals and displaced individuals, has been surrounded by RSF forces for weeks.
Urgent Appeals for Aid
As the crisis deepens, UN agencies are reiterating urgent calls for additional funding. The current $2.14 billion Sudan humanitarian appeal is only 57% funded, severely limiting relief efforts:
- Over 500,000 people in Darfur are already facing famine conditions
- Famine is expected to spread further without immediate intervention
- 25 million Sudanese – more than half the population – now rely on aid to survive
The road ahead for Sudan is fraught with challenges. While the doubling of UK aid offers a glimmer of hope, the sheer scale of the unfolding disaster demands a concerted global response. For the millions caught in the crosshairs of war and hunger, time is a luxury they simply do not have.
As one aid worker put it: “We’re in a race against time to prevent a tragedy of historic proportions. The world must act now, before it’s too late.”
