Agriculture and Food Security
Agriculture and Food Security
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Responding to the Sudan Regional Crisis
Forced displacement crises – including those involving refugees, IDPs, and returnees – entail humanitarian, development and peace challenges that require food security, resilience-building, and peace-responsive interventions at an early stage.
The Sudan conflict’s impact on food security is severe. Famine has struck multiple regions in Sudan, including Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Al Salam IDP camps in North Darfur. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over 60% of the assessed IDP camps were highly food insecure (IPC Phase 3 and above), while in Zamzam IDP camp alone, 95% of the assessed population was in IPC Phase 3+. In neighboring countries, refugees, returnees and host communities face alarmingly high rates of malnutrition and food insecurity. In Chad, nine out of nine assessed refugee sites in the provinces of Ennedi Est, Ouaddai, Sila and Wadi Fira, which host large Sudanese refugee populations, are highly food insecure (IPC Phase 3 and above), according to the March 2025 IPC report.
Many Sudanese refugees in Uganda, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan come from agricultural backgrounds, bringing with them valuable skills and experience in farming and rural livelihoods. Despite this, displaced populations are often among the most food-insecure and vulnerable in the region, and their numbers continue to rise. The loss of access to land and agricultural inputs are just the beginning of the barriers that compromise resilience, and limit agriculture activities for displacement affected communities.
Zoom in: The FAO’s Approach to Forced Displacement
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a critical role in supporting both displaced and host communities to restore and rebuild agriculture-based livelihoods. As a key actor in implementing the humanitarian–development–peace nexus (HDP) approach, FAO places agricultural interventions at the centre of its efforts to enable durable solutions to displacement. Learn more.
Data
The FAO established the publicly available Data in Emergencies (DIEM) Information System in June 2020. Through the DIEM-Monitoring Pillar, the FAO collects, analyses and disseminates data to inform decision-making by providing updated information on how different shocks affect the livelihoods and food security of agricultural populations. For countries responding to the Sudan crisis, the DIEM platform provides data and analysis for the Central African Republic, Chad, South Sudan, and Sudan.
View key indicators for the Sudan. For more information and to view key indicators for other countries, visit DIEM Monitoring.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) provides standardized, evidence-based assessments of acute food insecurity, helping to identify areas and populations in greatest need during the Sudan emergency. IPC phases range from Minimal (Phase 1) to Famine/Catastrophe (Phase 5), indicating the severity of food insecurity and guiding humanitarian response priorities.
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
Sudan
Nearly 19.5 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) through May 2026. Of these, around 135,000 people are in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe), marked by extreme food gaps, extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition, and a high risk of death.
IPC Sudan Acute Food Insecurity | September 2025 – May 2026
This IPC Special Snapshot highlights that famine (IPC Phase 5) is ongoing and expected to persist through January 2026 in El Fasher and Kadugli towns, and 20 areas across Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan are at risk of Famine. The full IPC analysis report is forthcoming.
Chad
During the current period (October 2025–January 2026), eight areas are classified as IPC Acute Malnutrition (AMN) Phase 4 (Critical), while populations are facing IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious) conditions in 29 areas. An estimated 2 million children aged 6–59 months are suffering or expected to suffer acute malnutrition in Chad between October 2025 and September 2026.
South Sudan
South Sudan: Acute Food Insecurity Projection Update for April - July 2026
Rising conflict heightens Famine risk, with 7.8 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
South Sudan: Acute Malnutrition Projection Update for April - June 2026
Alarmingly high levels of acute malnutrition, with an estimated 2.2 million children requiring treatment.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia - Key Message Update (July 2026 - January 2027)
El Niño-driven rainfall delays and deficits raise concerns for the meher harvest
Uganda
Uganda - Food Security Outlook (June 2026 - January 2027)
Needs to remain high among refugees and poor households in Karamoja
Countries & Settlements
Document Library
Contacts
FAO: Andrea Berloffa, Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer ([email protected])
