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Sudan war and climate change see parents struggle to feed their children
The war in Sudan and worsening climate related pressures are leaving more children at risk of severe malnutrition, while families face obstacles to getting care. Layla Ali brought her five-year-old son Adam to hospital after his condition deteriorated; his experience reflects a growing crisis across the country.
The IPC estimates 825,000 children under five will suffer severe acute malnutrition in 2026, 7 per cent more than in 2025. UNICEF and partners treated 174,700 children in the first six months of this year, while Port Sudan Teaching Hospital recorded 433 cases from January to August. Its 17-bed unit has housed up to three children per bed, and families may still struggle to afford medicines and intravenous fluids; displacement, poor nutrition, contaminated food and water, and disease add to the risks.
In short
- Sudan’s war and climate pressures are worsening child malnutrition.
- 825,000 under-fives are projected to be severely malnourished in 2026.
- Hospital overcrowding and treatment costs compound families’ difficulties.
Explained simply
Sudan’s war has displaced millions of people and disrupted farming, markets and health services. Families have less access to food and clean water, while droughts and floods linked to a changing climate can further damage crops and livestock.
Young children are especially vulnerable to severe acute malnutrition, which can become life-threatening without treatment. Hospitals and aid groups provide care, but shortages of beds and medicines, the cost of supplies, and difficulty reaching clinics can make it harder for families to get help.