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Latest food security analysis

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Key messages
Key Message Update March - September 2026 The risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) persists in South Kordofan and North Darfur Download the report
  • In March, Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes with populations in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) are ongoing in key hotspot areas. The areas of highest concern include parts of South Kordofan (Dilling, Kadugli, and surrounding western Nuba Mountains), North Darfur (northwestern localities of Um Baru, Kernoi, At-Tine), and North Kordofan (in El-Obeid town and surrounding rural areas). Conflict, displacement, and the early start of the lean season are driving severe hunger, acute malnutrition, and mortality in the typical post-harvest period. In Blue Nile, escalating fighting is causing displacement, straining host community resources, reducing household food access, and driving widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes with pockets of Emergency (IPC Phase 4) among newly displaced populations. Overall, Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes are anticipated to expand further across Greater Darfur, Greater Kordofan, and Blue Nile during the lean season. FEWS NET estimates that up to 22.0-22.99 million people will need humanitarian food aid.   
  • A credible risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) remains in parts of South Kordofan, North Kordofan, North Darfur, and areas of Greater Darfur with large concentrations of displaced populations. Of particular concern are Kadugli, Dilling, and surrounding areas of the western Nuba Mountains; these areas were recently projected to remain in Famine due to severe siege conditions. While recent shifts in access and displacement have driven the change to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) with populations in Catastrophe (Phase 5), the levels of hunger, acute malnutrition, and mortality could deteriorate rapidly and surpass Famine (IPC Phase 5) thresholds if populations are again isolated from food, including humanitarian assistance, for a prolonged period. In northwest North Darfur, there is a credible risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) given already high levels of acute malnutrition: if conflict frontlines cut off trade and humanitarian access, prevent population movement, and obstruct household access to minimally available food, then Famine (IPC Phase 5) would likely occur.
  • In March 2026, conflict escalated across several regions of Sudan, driving instability and undermining humanitarian operations. In South Kordofan, Rapid Support Forces launched coordinated attacks on Sudan Armed Forces positions around Dilling, cutting supply routes, seizing control of stretches of the Dilling-Kadugli and Dilling-Habila roads, and disrupting trade and humanitarian access again after a brief reprieve in February that had facilitated the arrival of market and humanitarian supplies. Along the Chad-Sudan border, armed ground offensives and drone strikes at both Adré and At-Tine prompted the Chad government to close the border to movement except for humanitarian operations, disrupted population displacement across the border, trade flows, and humanitarian operations. In Blue Nile, the capture of Kurmuk by joint RSF-SPLM-N forces altered control of a strategic transit hub on the Ethiopian border, threatening trade and humanitarian corridors and triggering new waves of displacement.
  • Conflict-driven displacement continues to disrupt livelihoods and household food access, particularly in Blue Nile and Greater Kordofan. Needs also remain acute among displaced populations amid loss of access to livelihoods, income, and basic services. According to the International Organization for Migration, one-third of IDPs report going a full day without food, and one-quarter lack access to healthcare. In March, the escalating conflict in Blue Nile has driven waves of displacement, reaching a cumulative figure of 28,000 people displaced between January and the end of March. Meanwhile, in Greater Kordofan, over 2,100 people were displaced in March in South Kordofan due to armed clashes in Dilling town and in some villages in Habila. In North Kordofan, localized insecurity displaced 585 people in Gharb Bara and Bara, while 120 people were displaced from Abu Zabad town in West Kordofan. In Kas of South Darfur, intercommunal conflict between two tribes uprooted about 250 individuals, highlighting ongoing ethnic tensions between pastoralists and farmers.
  • Humanitarian access in the frontline areas of the conflict remains exceedingly challenging in March. Road closures, heightened insecurity, and escalating drone strikes, on top of ongoing bureaucratic constraints, are restricting humanitarian deliveries in areas of active conflict. In Greater Darfur, attacks at At-Tine and Adré border crossings are disrupting humanitarian operations. Assistance in conflict-affected areas in the northwest of North Darfur are limited, with no food assistance reported to date; deliveries elsewhere in Greater Darfur remain volatile. Access to Dilling has deteriorated again amid ongoing fighting, while access to Kadugli and surrounding areas has remained relatively better since the breaking of the sieges. The escalation of clashes in Blue Nile has also disrupted humanitarian operations in the area. While the Nutrition Cluster confirmed sufficient nutrition supplies were available to last through June 2026, insecurity, administrative restrictions, and movement constraints are expected to disrupt operations and limit distribution to areas of greatest need.
  • Market flows also remain disrupted by the conflict and insecurity, driving high and volatile prices even in the post-harvest period. While prices declined in Dilling and Kadugli compared to the siege’s peak, they remain among the highest in the country and significantly above normal; it is expected that similarly high market prices prevail in nearby markets in South Kordofan. In Greater Darfur, disruptions at the Chad border have disrupted staple imports and livestock movements, affecting supply and driving up prices. Declining fuel supplies due to the conflict in the Middle East are causing surging transport costs. According to WFP market monitoring in February, fuel prices registered a 3-4 percent price increase on commercial markets, though black market prices rose more sharply (7-11 percent) compared to January; further increases were again reported in March.
  • In addition to escalating fuel shortages and rising transport costs that are translating into increasing retail food prices, the conflict in the Middle East is destabilizing the humanitarian supply pipeline and disrupting fertilizer access. Fertilizer imports are already depressed due to the Sudan conflict; however, further reductions in availability are expected to reduce yields, particularly for farmers preparing to plant in the semi-mechanized and irrigated eastern areas. The conflict is causing delays in humanitarian supply and increasing operational costs. Sustained conflict in the Middle East is expected to sharply worsen Sudan’s already fragile food security by further increasing fuel and import costs, disrupting logistics, and diverting international attention from Sudan’s conflict.
Read the full analysis
More analysis reports View all Sudan food security analysis reports Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Sudan February - September 2026
Key Message Update Sudan January - May 2026
Food Security Outlook Update Sudan December 2025 - May 2026
Alerts / special reports
FEWS NET Analysis Note Sudan February 2026
Alert Sudan September 5, 2025
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Monthly analysis
Food Security Outlook Sudan February - September 2026
Key Message Update Sudan January - May 2026
Food Security Outlook Update Sudan December 2025 - May 2026
Alerts / special reports
FEWS NET Analysis Note Sudan February 2026
Alert Sudan September 5, 2025
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Explore food security analysis data
Description

The FEWS NET Data Explorer hosts the widest range of FEWS NET data for download or extract via API. The Data Explorer requires a free user account for access.

FEWS NET–style food security map of East Africa showing crisis severity by color, with conflict icons and alerts across Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Acute Food Insecurity Area-Level Classifications

FEWS NET produces IPC-compatible area-level acute food insecurity classifications monthly for FEWS NET reporting countries. This data is available as spatial files, tabular files, and map images. It is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our Food Security Outlooks and Outlook Updates (FSO/U) and Key Message Updates (KMU).

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Map of East Africa with large colored circles over Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan indicating comparative regional metrics; capitals labeled.
Acutely Food Insecure Population Estimates

These estimates reflect the total population estimated to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity outcomes, including those who are receiving humanitarian food assistance and those who are not. This tabular data is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our FSOs, global Food Assistance Outlook Briefs (FAOB), and semi-annual global Peak Food Assistance Needs Outlook Briefs.

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Markets and trade resources
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Access FEWS NET’s market price data and analysis, plus trade flow maps.

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Monthly Global Price Watch reports

This report provides the latest outlook on global, regional, and national market trends of key commodity prices in FEWS NET reporting countries and also analyzes the various drivers influencing these trends.

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Production and Trade Flow Maps

These maps display the geography of market systems and trade flow patterns for key products, including their key market towns and cross-border trade points.

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Price data

Price data is available for a large number of countries and products around the world. This data can be used to track the change in price of commodities, food staples, agricultural inputs, and other products over time and is a key input to FEWS NET food security analysis and Global Price Watch reports.

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Agroclimatology resources
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Access FEWS NET’s remote sensing data and analysis of weather conditions.

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Weekly Global Weather Hazards reports

This report provides a global outlook on anticipated severe weather events, including maps with current weather information, short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week), and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions.

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Seasonal Monitor reports

This report provides regional updates on weather events, rainfall patterns, and associated impacts on ground conditions (e.g., cropping conditions, water availability) during a given geography’s rainy season, along with a short-term rainfall forecast.

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Agroclimatology data

FEWS NET and its partners offer a range of online tools that share insights on rainfall, temperature, vegetation, soil moisture, and surface water conditions derived from remote sensing data collection and modeling.

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Livelihoods resources
Description

Access FEWS NET’s maps, reports, and data on local livelihood systems.

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Sudan 2014 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
Livelihood Zone maps

Zone Maps illustrate the country by zone, showing areas where people generally have the same options for obtaining food and income and engaging in trade.

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Livelihood Profiles

Profiles briefly describe wealth groups and compare the various sources of food and income particular to each. The Profiles provide a basis for understanding how and whether different groups may be vulnerable to shocks such as drought, flooding, conflict or a market disruption.

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Livelihood Zone Descriptions

Zone Descriptions accompany a Zone Map, briefly describing the main characteristics of the livelihood patterns in that zone. The maps and descriptions are useful in informing the development of monitoring systems.

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Seasonal Calendar
Description

These calendars illustrate the monthly availability of key food and income sources, plus the starts and ends to key rainy and lean seasons. They supplement livelihoods resources and are integral to FEWS NET’s food security analysis.

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Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Sudan
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