Rare Famine Declaration Strikes Sudan Again in 2025

In a striking image from August, humanitarian assistance reaches Sudanese people in Ombada after their return from displacement due to civil strife. As hunger intensifies, an international agency has now labeled parts of Sudan as suffering from famine.

Famine declarations are infrequent occurrences. Yet, the predominant global authority on hunger crises highlights catastrophic deficits of essential provisions like food, water, and medicine in regions of conflict-ravaged Sudan. This follows a similar label placed earlier on due to calamities from military offensives involving Hamas.

Previously, declarations of severe famine have been officially confirmed in Somalia during 2011, as well as in South Sudan during the years 2017 and 2020.

Why are recorded instances of mass starvation, illness, and mortality such rare occurrences, raising the question of what signifies a famine declaration? NPR engaged with individuals from a network of officials, aid personnel, and researchers tasked with monitoring global hunger challenges.

Historical Context and Monitoring Systems

Since the 1980s, a system known as the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has served as a key tool to observe food shortages. This initiative arose in the wake of famines in Africa, as U.S. aid officials recognized the need for careful, impartial, and timely assessments to avert future crises according to Tim Hoffine, deputy chief of Party-Innovation at FEWS NET.

In 1985, in response, FEWS NET was founded under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to employ experts for monthly data collection and analysis on vulnerable regions.

A lack of universal standards for crisis severity originally complicated donor and aid group coordination. Steve Taravella, formerly of the World Food Programme, pointed out the necessity for defined, scientific approaches to assess hunger severity reliably for the aid community.

Development of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

In 2004, during a crisis in Somalia, FEWS NET teamed with global partners to create the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Despite the technicality of its name, as Taravella states, this system provides a respected and scientific framework to gauge hunger levels.

The IPC operates under the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, bringing together expert groups to consider each unique situation.

Phases of Hunger

Hunger levels are assigned to a five-phase scale. Phase one denotes normalcy, while phase two signals increased strain as households begin struggling to afford essentials beyond food.

Phase three, marking a 'crisis,' worries experts as access to food becomes difficult, forcing many to make harmful short-term decisions, like selling livestock.

An 'emergency' at phase four represents further hardship, where coping mechanisms may involve severe measures. Acute malnutrition and related deaths become more common.

Phase five is identified as famine, contingent upon three conditions: at least 20% of households face extreme food deficits, 30% or more of children under five endure acute malnutrition, and daily death rates reach two out of every 10,000 individuals.

Despite FEWS NET's classification in Gaza nearing these critical levels, the lack of operational capacity in wartime zones can complicate data gathering efforts.

Challenges in Famine Declaration

Even if FEWS NET or IPC findings suggest famine criteria are met, declarations require independent expert validation. The IPC doesn't single-handedly make famine announcements; it is up to high-level entities within the United Nations and governments.

Many suffer starvation before reaching these thresholds, with mortality typical in areas where the conditions are prolonged.

Humanitarian Interventions

Ending conflict and enabling the free movement of humanitarian efforts is essential for alleviating famine. The IPC aims to prompt timely global action before reaching these dire states.

The call to action is clear, as stated by the WFP's Arif Husain, stressing that past obliviousness is no longer an excuse: with today's real-time crisis monitoring, action is imperative.