Sudan's harvest at risk as millions face worsening hunger in 2027

The next four months could determine whether Sudan’s hunger crisis deepens in 2027, humanitarian organisations warned on October 5, 2026, according to a press release by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Conflict, displacement, poor and erratic rainfall, and worsening El-Niño driven drought conditions continue to threaten the country’s upcoming harvest. The joint call to action was issued alongside Action Against Hunger, CARE International, the Danish Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps and World Vision International Sudan, in collaboration with the Sudan FSL cluster. As Sudan enters harvest season, the critical question is whether farmers can safely harvest their crops and whether food will reach the families who need it most. Protecting the October-January harvest window is now framed as an urgent diplomatic priority.

According to the Sudan Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Cluster, nearly 29 million people already face acute food insecurity. Famine has been confirmed multiple times over the past two years in parts of Sudan by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), while other areas continue to face a risk of Famine. Sudan’s harvest season for main crops runs approximately between October 2026 and January 2027. The Sudan FSL Cluster unites UN agencies, INGOs, and local organisations to coordinate emergency food relief and livelihood protection. The IPC divides acute food insecurity into five phases, from phase 1 (minimal) to phase 5 (catastrophe / famine).

Farmers across Darfur, Kordofan, Blue Nile and other conflict-affected states have continued to plant despite violence, displacement and severe restrictions on movement. Farmlands, roads, markets, water systems, power supplies and other vital civilian infrastructure essential to food production and trade continue to come under attack. Poor and erratic rainfall and growing drought concerns are further threatening this year’s yields. High inflation and continued currency depreciation are driving up food, fuel and transport costs. Despite these pressures, Sudanese communities continue to keep food systems functioning through farmers’ associations, women’s groups, local responders, traders and community networks.

“What worries me most is that a failed harvest will bring starvation and disease. When people can no longer access food or earn an income, the risks of violence, abuse, and conflict between communities increase dramatically,” said Musa Mohamed Hassan Abdulla, Program Director of Future Stars Center for Development and Capacity building (FSC), and member of the Sudan FSL cluster. A farmer in South Kordofan described the risks farmers face, saying: “We planted knowing we might be killed before harvest. Not planting was also death.” A woman farmer in Kass, South Darfur, added: “We have nothing to buy food and prices keep rising. Starvation is around the corner. We are suffering.”

Humanitarian organisations are calling on conflict parties and those with influence over them to protect civilians, vital civilian infrastructure and food systems. They are urging the parties to ensure safe access to farmland and markets, and to guarantee the safe movement of food, commercial goods and humanitarian assistance. Regional and international actors are being urged to make protection of the October-January harvest window an immediate diplomatic priority. Donors are being called upon to sustain life-saving assistance and invest in the livelihoods, local responders and food systems that help prevent future hunger. Protecting this harvest will not end Sudan’s hunger crisis, but losing it will make next year’s crisis significantly worse.