Acute Famine Confirmed in Two Besieged Sudan Cities

November 4, 2025 | 02:23 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After months of violence and siege, two major cities in Sudan are confirmed for famine conditions. According to a report by NDTV, on Monday, the UN-backed global famine monitor, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), confirmed the condition in El Fasher, a city captured by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and in Kadugli, another besieged city in southern Sudan.

The findings mark the first time IPC has declared the status of famine in the two cities since the war between RSF and the Sudanese military (SAF) broke out more than two years ago. In December 2024, IPC had only designated famine status in the refugee camps in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

According to a report from Anadolu, both cities were classified in IPC Phase 5 (Famine) based on the analysis in September 2025, and this condition is expected to continue until the coming January.

IPC also warned that the situation in Dilling, in the South Kordofan region, is expected to be similar to that of Kadugli, although the lack of data has prevented the official classification of the area.

Dire Consequences of Prolonged War

The war that has been ongoing since April 2023 between RSF and the Sudanese army has had widespread impacts, with millions displaced, thousands killed, and famine spreading in various areas. El Fasher was besieged for about 18 months before finally falling into the hands of RSF at the end of September 2025.

During the siege, food supplies were completely cut off. Residents reported being forced to consume animal feed and even animal skins to survive. Community kitchens providing food for the poor were also reportedly targeted by drone strikes.

Previously, IPC first declared the famine status during this conflict in August 2024 for the Zamzam refugee camp south of El Fasher.

ICC Investigation Continues

According to a statement from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday, prosecutors are now collecting evidence regarding allegations of mass killings and rape following the fall of El Fasher. The latest IPC report also warned that Tawila, Mellit, and Tawisha, three areas where residents fled from Al-Fashir, are at risk of experiencing a similar famine.

Approximately 21.2 million Sudanese, or 45 percent of the total population, were experiencing acute food insecurity in September 2025. Of that number, 375,000 people were in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) and another 6.3 million in the emergency category (IPC Phase 4).

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