official (joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan, Oct 23, published by GOV.UK, Global Affairs Canada and EU ECHO)
At least 30 governments and the EU warn Sudan is sliding toward famine
Dozens of governments signed the same warning: Sudan's hunger is getting worse, and the war is the key driver. Without immediate action, they say, the number of children with severe acute malnutrition could pass the projected 825,000.
Key facts
- Signatories
- GOV.UK lists 31 governments and the European Commission; the Global Affairs Canada text lists 30 governments and the European Commission, without Romania. Both include the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Norway and Switzerland
- Date
- Oct 23 2026 (GOV.UK, Global Affairs Canada, EU ECHO)
- Acute hunger
- An estimated 19.5 million people, 41% of Sudan's population, at high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million at emergency levels (joint statement)
- Children
- Severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000 children without immediate action (joint statement)
- Spread
- The number of food insecure areas, initially assessed at 14, is expected to double (joint statement)
- Drivers
- Conflict as the key driver, made worse by systematic obstruction of aid and El Niño drought across over half of Sudan (joint statement)
There is no time to lose to save lives and prevent famine.
Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan, Oct 23
Note
A group of governments including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and most EU states, together with the European Commission, has warned that Sudan is experiencing an alarming deterioration in its food security and that the risk of famine in the coming months needs urgent action.
The joint ministerial statement, dated Oct 23, was published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Global Affairs Canada and the European Commission's humanitarian aid department. GOV.UK lists 31 governments and the European Commission as signatories; the Canadian text lists 30 governments and the Commission, without Romania.
It estimates that 19.5 million people, or 41% of Sudan's population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million facing emergency levels, and warns that without immediate action the number of children with severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000. The number of food insecure areas, initially assessed at 14, is expected to double.
The signatories name conflict as the key driver of the hunger crisis, made worse by systematic obstruction of aid and by El Niño, which has cut rainfall and increased drought across over half of Sudan. They urge the parties to lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance, including by authorising air access into Darfur, and to refrain from strikes on agriculture and food systems.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023. This note was corrected on Oct 27: an earlier version said the US and 30 other Western states signed, and gave the wrong date for the statement.
Why it matters
When this many governments put their names to the word famine, it is a warning that the window to prevent one is closing. The statement blames the war itself, and the blocking of aid, and says the number of food insecure areas is expected to double.
Sources
- GOV.UK (FCDO): Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan (Oct 23 2026)
- Global Affairs Canada: Joint statement on the risk of famine in Sudan (Oct 23 2026)
- European Commission, ECHO: Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan (Oct 23 2026)
- BBC News: West warns of famine risk in Sudan as civil war grinds on (Oct 27 2026)
Primary + secondary attribution as listed.
More: Armed conflict
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