Britain calls for UN Security Council talks on North Darfur famine

February 7, 2026 (LONDON) – The British Foreign Office called on Saturday for United Nations Security Council consultations to address a famine outbreak in North Darfur.

Britain, which holds the Council presidency for February and serves as the designated “penholder” for Sudan, is responsible for drafting resolutions and managing negotiations regarding the conflict.

The Foreign Office said in a statement on the X platform in Arabic that the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine has reached the towns of Um Baru and Karnoi.

The United Kingdom, Bahrain and Denmark requested the urgent consultations to address the humanitarian disaster. British officials said both warring parties in Sudan must provide immediate humanitarian access to affected populations.

The IPC, a global monitor supported by the UN, reported that malnutrition in Um Baru and Karnoi has exceeded the formal famine threshold. A report released on Feb. 5 based on December 2025 data showed acute malnutrition in Um Baru at 52.9% among children under five, with 18.1% facing severe acute malnutrition.

In Karnoi, the malnutrition rate reached 34%, with 7.8% of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Under IPC standards, famine is declared when 20% of households face extreme food shortages, 30% of children are acutely malnourished, and the daily death rate hits two people per 10,000.

The IPC Famine Review Committee previously declared famine in El Fasher and Kadugli in November 2025. Experts have warned that at least 20 other areas across Darfur and Kordofan remain at high risk of reverting to similar conditions.