Activists warn of hunger crisis in Sudan’s North Darfur as supplies dry up

August 6, 2026 (AL-MALHA) – Activists warned on Thursday of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Al-Malha region of Sudan’s North Darfur state, saying severe food shortages are threatening the lives of more than 270,000 residents and displaced civilians.

The Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of Al-Malha, in the far north of the state, in 2025. Local groups have accused the forces of committing widespread abuses against civilians following the takeover, including killings, looting, and forced displacement.

Activists said movement restrictions on vehicles carrying goods from Al-Dabbah in Northern State to Al-Malha have worsened the situation. Supplies of food, fuel, and medicine have plummeted, triggering price spikes and acute fears of starvation.

“More than 270,000 citizens and displaced people face the risk of death from hunger and thirst unless immediate intervention is made,” the local Al-Malha Emergency Room said in a statement.

Prices for basic staples have reached unprecedented levels. A single sack of sorghum or millet now costs around 450,000 Sudanese pounds ($750), putting food beyond the reach of most families.

The water crisis has also deepened after several wells and pumping stations shut down due to a lack of fuel, sending water prices soaring.

Local groups warned that incoming seasonal rains will soon turn dirt access roads into mud, cutting off the region completely unless relief arrives immediately.

The emergency committee appealed to international donors and aid agencies to fund urgent food distributions, secure fuel for water pumps, and cover transport costs before supply lines collapse.

“The coming hours and days will be critical,” the committee said, warning that any delay in aid delivery could lead to a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe.