South Kordofan facing ‘catastrophic’ famine as food supplies dwindle, NRC warns
February 2, 2026 (KADUGLI) – South Kordofan is spiralling toward a humanitarian disaster as severe food shortages push major towns into famine, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warned on Monday.
Jan Egeland, the NRC’s secretary general, said Kadugli, the state capital, is grappling with famine conditions, while the town of Dilling faces a similar crisis. The Sudanese army broke the siege on Dilling on January 26, allowing some food to reach the area, but roads remain highly insecure, hindering consistent aid delivery.
“Entire towns are being hollowed out by hunger,” Egeland said in a statement following a visit to the region. “Civilians here have told me they are being bombarded and attacked in their homes, places of worship, and schools. This is a man-made crisis, and it is moving rapidly toward a catastrophic scenario.”
The conflict and resulting starvation have displaced approximately 147,000 people from Kadugli — roughly 80% of its population — and about 117,000 from Dilling, nearly half of its residents, according to United Nations estimates. Many of those who fled reported facing abuses during their journey, driven by the total lack of food in the cities.
The closure of major supply routes to Dilling and Kadugli has led to a total collapse of local markets. Trapped civilians now face a complete absence of food, cash, and essential services, Egeland said.
Overstretched resources
Thousands are fleeing the Kordofan region on perilous journeys marked by hunger, theft and intimidation. Many cross active front lines to reach the Nuba Mountains — a region long isolated and impoverished — while others head toward White Nile State, Gedaref or South Sudan.
Upon reaching displacement camps, many families are forced to sleep on bare ground in overcrowded shelters. Aid organisations are few and operating under extreme pressure with significant funding shortages, Egeland said.
The NRC supports communal kitchens in Kadugli, Dilling and the Nuba Mountains, while also providing water, sanitation and educational support. Despite security constraints, the council continues to provide emergency food, cash assistance and protection services.
“The needs are rapidly outstripping our available resources,” Egeland warned. “History will hold us accountable if we abandon the civilians of Sudan once again to face endless violence and deprivation.”
The security situation remains volatile. Kadugli, Dilling and other towns in South Kordofan are subject to drone strikes and heavy artillery fire attributed to both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The attacks have repeatedly struck residential neighbourhoods and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and health centres.