Geneva: Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday highlighted the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, identifying it as the world's largest food crisis. Ghebreyesus confirmed that famine has been officially recognized in the towns of El Fasher and Kadugli.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ghebreyesus shared on his official X account that an additional 20 areas across Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan are at risk of famine. Over 21 million people throughout the country face hunger. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to avert further decline and save lives. He also urged the international community to enhance their support for the Sudanese population and act promptly to prevent further deterioration.
Earlier, the IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) confirmed for the second time in less than a year that famine is occurring in parts of Sudan. As of September 2025, El Fasher in North Darfur and the besieged town of Kadugli in South Kordofan have been classified as being in Famine (IPC Phase 5) with substantial evidence. These dire conditions are anticipated to continue through January 2026.
The committee also pointed out that the situation in Dilling, another besieged town in South Kordofan, is similar to that in Kadugli. However, insufficient data currently prevents a formal IPC classification. The IPC describes famine as a total collapse of livelihoods, leading to starvation, extremely high levels of malnutrition, and death.