The United States, the European Union, and 30 other nations have issued a joint warning about the escalating food security crisis in Sudan, calling for immediate action to avert a potential famine. In a statement released by the U.S. State Department on Monday, the signatories highlighted an "alarming deterioration" in the nation's food situation and urged the warring parties to "lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance."

The countries, which include Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, underscored the urgency of the situation, referencing warnings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) about the risk of famine in the coming months. The statement emphasized that "the parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people."

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which began as a dispute over integrating the two forces, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced over 13 million people, and created one of the world's most severe hunger and displacement crises.

Experts have previously warned of dire consequences if the conflict continues unabated. In June, the IPC reported that 5.1 million people in Sudan were already facing severe hunger. Factors such as disruptions to farming, a drought linked to El Nino, and soaring food prices have further exacerbated the scarcity of essential supplies.

The joint statement specifically warned that without swift intervention, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could surpass the projected 825,000. This grim outlook underscores the critical need for unimpeded access for humanitarian operations.

The signatories implored the warring factions to permit humanitarian aid to flow through all available routes, both across front lines and international borders, including aerial access to the Darfur region. They also called for the protection of humanitarian personnel and infrastructure, urging parties to refrain from targeting civilian facilities.

Furthermore, the international coalition appealed to the global community to "urgently scale up funding" to address the escalating needs in Sudan. They stressed the importance of supporting efforts to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations affected by the protracted conflict and ensuing humanitarian catastrophe.

The statement concluded by reiterating the call for the warring parties to prioritize the well-being of the Sudanese population and to cease actions that hinder life-saving assistance, emphasizing that the international community stands ready to support efforts towards peace and stability.