Drought & Looming Famine in East Africa

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is deeply alarmed by the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which highlights a rapidly deteriorating hunger crisis in South Sudan. With 57% of the population– 7.7 million people– projected to face acute food insecurity during the 2025 lean season (April to July), including 85% of returnees fleeing the war in Sudan, the situation demands urgent global attention.

South Sudan's most vulnerable populations, particularly children, are bearing the brunt of this crisis. Nearly 2.1 million children are at risk of malnutrition, a significant increase from previous years. The IRC is especially concerned about the compounding effects of extreme climate shocks, an escalating economic crisis, and the ongoing conflict that continues to disrupt livelihoods and access to basic needs.

Ladu, IRC Interim Country Director said:

“The devastating impact of this hunger crisis is widespread in South Sudan. Families are fleeing conflict in Sudan and returning to communities already strained by climate shocks and conflict. Without immediate, coordinated action to provide life-saving assistance and address the root causes of food insecurity, the human toll will only grow.”

The IRC is calling for:

• A focus on long-term solutions to tackle the main drivers of hunger, including peacebuilding and climate-related anticipatory action to make a significant difference in how quickly people recover from disaster, while simultaneously building climate resilience in the future.
• Increased humanitarian funding to address immediate food and nutrition needs.

The international community must act now to avert further catastrophe and provide South Sudanese families with the resources and stability they need to rebuild their lives.

The IRC Response in South Sudan

The IRC supports people impacted by conflict and crisis, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, refugees and mixed populations. Since the beginning of the Sudan crisis, the IRC in South Sudan has been responding to the influx of refugees and returnees through delivering lifesaving assistance to prevent and reduce excess mortality and morbidity, ensuring that emergency needs are met, and acute protection concerns are addressed at points of entry. Through its programmatic response, the IRC provides services in women's protection and empowerment, focusing on gender-based violence prevention and response, along with general protection, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and nutrition, child protection and economic empowerment and livelihoods for the affected population to restore and rebuild their future.

Support us today

The IRC supports communities in adapting to climate change by identifying hazards, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and prioritizing the needs of women and girls. In addition, the ambitious IRC climate action plan has set us on a course to change how we work to reduce our carbon footprint. We have also committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Donate to support the IRC's work around the world. Thank you!