Below-average harvests and continued high staple food prices maintain high levels of concern in South Kordofan

Food security remained stable in most areas between February and March 2017 thanks to above-average 2016/17 harvests and improved market access. Most areas of the country are expected to face Minimal (IPC Phase 1) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes through September 2017. However, most IDPs in Jebel Marra in Darfur and some IDPs and host communities in SPLM-N controlled areas of South Kordofan are facing food consumption gaps and are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) due to displacement, limited agricultural opportunities, above-average staple food prices and limited humanitarian access.

Above-average harvests are contributing to greater than usual staple food supplies on markets, with retail sorghum and millet prices remaining stable in February. Prices for sorghum remain particularly high in Kadugli, near SPLM-N-controlled areas where staple food prices are reportedly even higher and crop production was below average. 

Sporadic conflict was reported during February 2017 in parts of South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, despite the unilateral ceasefire declared by government of Sudan and conflicting parties. However, additional displacement as a result of conflict was reportedly very limited. 

Approximately 54,000 refugees from South Sudan have entered Sudan January 1 and March 15, increasing the total number of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan to more than 300,000 since mid-2013. Flows of refugees into Sudan from South Sudan are expected to remain high, particularly before the onset of seasonal rainfall in May/June 2017.