Joint ministerial statement on the risk of famine in Sudan
What was announced
Joint ministerial statement by the UK and 31 other partners on the risk of famine in Sudan.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Sudan is experiencing an alarming deterioration in its food security. The risk of famine in the coming months, as warned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, needs urgent action. There is no time to lose to save lives and prevent famine.
- An estimated 19.5 million people (41% of the country’s population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Without immediate action to reverse the current trajectory, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000. The number of food insecure areas, initially assessed at 14, is expected to double.
- Conflict is the key driver of Sudan’s hunger crisis, displacing millions of people, damaging critical infrastructure and disrupting healthcare provision, food production, supply chains and markets. The situation is being exacerbated by systematic obstruction of aid and the effects of El Niño, which has resulted in reduced rainfall and increased drought across over half of Sudan.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “An estimated 19.5 million people (41% of the country’s population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including 5 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity.”
- “Without immediate action to reverse the current trajectory, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition could exceed the projected 825,000.”
Who and where
People
- Kirsty McNeill (MP for Midlothian (Labour (Co-op))) · more news
UK bodies of power
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK government department) · more news
Countries
Constituencies of the MPs named: Midlothian.
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Conflict in fragile states, Hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-ministerial-statement-on-the-risk-of-famine-in-sudan
- Published 2026-10-23 15:00:40 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-23 19:45:35 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 767, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Related official news
- Russia's war against Ukraine is costing more and achieving less: UK statement to the FSC
- Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Seoul
- Peace cannot be sustainable while half the population is shut out of shaping it: UK statement at the UN Security Council
- Iran must allow the return of IAEA inspectors to all nuclear sites: UK statement at the UN Security Council
- UK Human Rights Ambassador visits Tanzania ahead of UN review
- The United Kingdom remains committed to working with Iraq, Kuwait, and the Tripartite Commission to provide answers for families of missing loved ones: UK statement at the UN Security Council
- We must protect and build on 30 years of work supporting the protection of children in conflicts: UK statement at the UN Security Council
- Statement from the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan: one year on from the 26 October 2025 Atrocity in El Fasher
More from GOV.UK
- UK-Oman joint statement on Omani State Visit
- The role of heat networks in the energy transition
- Southend-on-Sea City Council: Local Plan Intervention letter
- Steps to Safety initiative introduced in 12 areas across England
- MHRA approves deuruxolitinib (Leqselvi) to treat severe alopecia areata in adults
- Final call for public to submit their memories for Queen Elizabeth Digital Memorial
Also announced on 23 October 2026
- Discussing Implementation of UN Charter, Sixth Committee Touches on Sanctions, Peaceful Dispute Settlement
- Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
- Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack on Church Service in Jordan
- Security Council Press Statement on 19 October Drone Attacks in Abyei Area
- Weak Cyberspace Governance Can Undermine Peace, Security, First Committee Told, Calling for Responsible State Behaviors
- Mediation Can Turn ‘Possibility of Peace into a Lasting Reality’, Says Secretary-General in Remarks to Istanbul Conference