Amid the growing food crisis in Sudan, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, commonly known as the IPC, is highlighting an alarming situation. Indicators are in the red, signaling critical levels of malnutrition across most regions of the country, with the exception of one. This stark reality reflects a deep humanitarian crisis affecting nearly half of the Sudanese population.
Continuing fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is further exacerbating the already dire situation. IPC figures reveal that 24.6 million Sudanese could face high levels of acute food insecurity in the coming months. Famine is spreading, now affecting internally displaced persons (IDP) sites in the west of the country as well as new areas in the south, bringing the number of people facing extreme hunger to 638,000, with another 8.1 million in pre-famine situations.
However, a shadow hangs over the reliability of the available data. Indeed, the sudden withdrawal of Sudan from the IPC classification system calls into question the transparency and relevance of future information. By accusing the IPC of releasing reports that are detrimental to its sovereignty, the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture has cast doubt on the credibility of the figures published. This decision raises concerns among humanitarian actors who fear a lack of direction in managing the food crisis without this essential compass.
In this context of a major humanitarian crisis, where millions of lives are at stake, transparency and the availability of reliable data are crucial to implement effective interventions. The withdrawal of Sudan from the IPC system threatens not only the understanding of the current situation, but also the ability of humanitarian actors to adequately respond to the urgent needs of the hungry population.
Faced with such a challenge, it is essential that the international community maintains pressure to ensure access to accurate and objective information on the food situation in Sudan. The urgency of the situation calls for collective mobilization to prevent a major humanitarian catastrophe and ensure that aid reaches where it is most vital.