UN agencies warn millions face hunger in Somalia and Sudan as malnutrition soars

Spokesperson Farhan read agency warnings that Somalia faces a rapidly intensifying hunger emergency that could push about 6 million people into critical levels of food insecurity between April and June. The agencies said Somalia now includes one of the worst malnutrition crises worldwide, affecting 1.9 million children, including about 493,000 children with severe malnutrition.

Farhan also said FAO, WFP and UNICEF warned that nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan are experiencing crisis-level acute food insecurity (IPC phase 3 or above) with 14 areas across greater Darfur and elsewhere at risk of famine. The agencies urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and a rapid scale-up of funding for food, nutrition, health and water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Why it matters: Escalating hunger and high levels of severe child malnutrition threaten lives and livelihoods; delayed funding and continuing insecurity increase famine risk and limit partners' ability to deliver life-saving assistance.

Supporting details: The briefing cited integrated food security phase classification figures and agency appeals to the international community for immediate support; it also noted that humanitarian partners aim to reach 4.8 million people monthly but had reached an estimated 3.13 million in February.

Next steps: Agencies called for urgent funding to scale emergency food production, nutrition and WASH services and for improved access so humanitarian action can expand before the lean season worsens conditions.