Hunger in Sudan: Medair’s Life-Saving Work with Local Communities

A country on the brink of famine

The Famine Review Committee (FRC) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has concluded that famine conditions prevail in parts of Sudan. Areas are classified as 'IPC Phase 5' (Famine) when at least one in five (or 20%) of people or households are experiencing extreme food shortages and are at risk of starvation and deprivation, leading to extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition and death.

The FRC notes that more areas across Sudan remain at risk of famine as long as conflict and limited humanitarian access persist.

After years of protracted crisis, Sudan plunged into a conflict of alarming scale in mid-April 2023, when fierce fighting broke out between two rival military groups, initially in the capital Khartoum, but quickly spreading to other areas of the country. The current spate of violence and insecurity has resulted in high civilian casualties, extensive damage to critical infrastructure and facilities, and large-scale displacement. Sudan is currently facing the largest internal displacement crisis in the world and the largest child displacement crisis in the world.

The UN agency IOM reported in February 2025 that more than 11.5 million people living in Sudan were internally displaced within the country. More than 8.8 million of them have been displaced as a result of fighting since April 2023. A further 3.5 million people have crossed borders to seek refuge in other countries. More than half (53%) of the internally displaced are reported to be children under the age of 18.

Today, Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded in the country. More than half the population (25.6 million people) is facing crisis or worse. There are 14 areas of the country at risk of famine. The situation is particularly critical for populations trapped in areas affected by direct conflict and/or insecurity and lack of protection. The need for humanitarian food assistance has increased dramatically.

Conflict is not the only cause of Sudan's food crisis. Natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which coincide with the lean and rainy seasons, add significantly to the suffering in Sudan.  

Saving Lives through Compassionate Care

Khartoum and Blue Nile State are two of the areas where Medair's dedicated team provides health and nutrition support to crisis-affected and vulnerable communities in Sudan. Faced with overwhelming need and insecurity in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, our team remains committed to serving in the most difficult of conditions. No matter how many people are suffering: Every single life saved makes a huge impact and is worth going the extra mile for us. It can be the simplest things that bring change and hope to people living in a food crisis. Medair’s health and nutrition clinics bring healing, especially to the most vulnerable, mothers and children. Our nutrition services include:

Malnutrition screening

A simple measurement of the mid-upper arm circumference can make a big difference. Malnutrition is often a silent disease, especially in its early stages. Screening helps identify children and adults at risk before their condition becomes life-threatening. Community-based screening brings services closer to the community, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are reached. Early detection of malnutrition allows for timely treatment, preventing complications such as infection, developmental delay and severe wasting. This dramatically increases the chances of recovery and survival. Screenings are often accompanied by education, enabling families to recognise warning signs and seek help.

Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)

IYCF refers to a set of practices that promote optimal nutrition for infants and young children, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life. The key components of IYCF are to initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and timely, adequate, safe and appropriate complementary feeding at six months while continuing breastfeeding until at least two years of age. It is also important that mothers have adequate nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding to support their health and their child’s development. Optimal feeding practices improve brain development, setting the foundation for better learning and productivity later in life. IYCF education equips mothers with knowledge to care for their children. Through IYCF promotion, Medair ensures that even in the most challenging circumstances, children have the best possible start to life, building healthier families and stronger and more resilient communities.

Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP)

OTPs are a community-based treatment approach we use for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) without medical complications. OTPs allow children to be treated at home, while receiving life-saving therapeutic food and regular follow-up at our clinics. We provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), which is energy dense, nutrient-rich and easy to administer at home. This approach reduces the burden on families by eliminating the need for prolonged hospital or clinic visits. OTPs allow malnourished children to recover quickly while staying with their families, which promotes emotional well-being. Treating children on an outpatient basis reduces the burden on health facilities, allowing resources to be used efficiently. Families in remote or conflict-affected areas can receive life-saving care without having to travel far from their communities.

Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TFSP)

TFSP is a preventative programme targeting children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating mothers. We provide supplementary feeding, such as fortified porridge or ready-to-use supplementary feeding (RUSF), to patients to fill nutritional gaps and prevent the condition from worsening into severe malnutrition. Pregnant and lactating women receive essential nutrients to ensure healthier pregnancies and better infant outcomes. Targeted nutrition for vulnerable groups builds healthier communities and reduces the long-term health risks associated with malnutrition.

OTP addresses severe cases of malnutrition, helping children to recover quickly and return to good health. TFSP prevents moderate malnutrition from becoming severe, creating a protective safety net for vulnerable groups. Together, these programmes create a continuum of care that addresses both immediate and long-term nutritional needs in crisis-affected communities. Children recover, grow and thrive; mothers regain their strength; and families experience hope for a healthier future. Access to these programmes helps families withstand future crises by addressing immediate needs and improving long-term nutrition. When malnutrition is addressed, entire communities benefit, as healthier individuals can contribute to recovery and resilience.

Meet Ibrahim

At one of our nutrition clinics, we treated 9-month-old Ibrahim*. His mother, Boshra*, brought him for treatment after he became increasingly sick and thin, and neighbours had told her about Medair's free services nearby. "It was only a ten-minute walk from my home to your clinic," said the 20-year-old mother.

Assessed as severely acutely malnourished, Ibrahim was immediately enrolled in Medair's OTP programme and has been receiving therapeutic feeding for the past few weeks. Today, he has recovered, and his mother has found new hope and even begun to dream about her future:

"I hope he will become a doctor to treat me, my family, and other malnourished children like him," said Boshra.

Don’t look away

This year, 30.4 million Sudanese will need humanitarian aid. But only 20.9 million people could be targeted by the humanitarian community. leaving almost every third vulnerable person in the country without access to services. The International Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan for 2024 had a funding gap of 877 million USD at the end of last year.  

This shows that every small contribution has an even bigger impact. With your help, there is hope. Your support can make a life-changing difference to a family today.

A donation of just US$50 can save the life of a severely acutely malnourished child, provide treatment, and restore hope to a family in need.**

In the last two years, Medair's team reached more than 30,000 people with nutrition services. Every donation fuels this life-saving work and helps Sudanese families not only survive, but thrive.

When you donate, you join our global community in bringing compassion, dignity, and hope to those who need it most. Together, we can rewrite the story of hunger in Sudan.

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*Names have been changed for security reasons.

** One carton of therapeutic food contains 149 sachets of 92g per carton and costs 51 USD. Approximately one carton is used as treatment for two to three months and one carton is needed to cure one severely malnourished child. Our team in Sudan aims to treat approximately 2,500 severely acute malnourished children under five per year.  

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.

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