• UN: One-third of Sudan’s population facing life-threatening food shortages.
• World Food Programme assesses 15 million people facing acute food insecurity.
• WFP warns that the situation is likely to worsen by September.

The United Nations stated on Thursday that political and economic turbulence has contributed to a third of Sudan’s population facing life-threatening food shortages, and that the situation is expected to deteriorate.

An assessment by the United Nations’ World Food Programme showed that a record 15 million people in the country — one-third of its population — are currently facing “acute food insecurity,” which WFP defines as “when a person’s inability to consume adequate food puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger.”

Eddie Rowe, WFP’s country director, said in a statement that, “The combined effects of conflict, climate shocks, economic and political crises, rising costs and poor harvests are pushing millions of people deeper into hunger and poverty.”

Read more: Clashes in Sudan’s Darfur kill more than 100: tribal leader

The WFP assessment said food insecurity has hit all of Sudan’s 18 states but the most affected areas are in the Darfur region, which has seen an increase in deadly clashes among rival groups over the past few months. Hundreds have been killed there.

Economic and political turmoil in the northeast African country has been aggravated by an October military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Near-weekly protests since the coup led to a violent crackdown that has killed more than 100 people and wounded thousands.

Sudan is also especially vulnerable to the impact of global supply shortages in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

WFP expects the “already alarming food security situation is likely to worsen” in Sudan by September.

“By that time, up to 40 percent of the population, or around 18 million people, may slip into food insecurity,” it warned.

The organization said that Sudan has so far been able to produce 5.1 million tones of cereal, “enough to cover the needs of less than two thirds of the population.”

It warned that food insecurity among people “may dramatically increase to unprecedented levels and ultimately lead to more conflict and displacement” unless Sudan receives robust support with agriculture inputs.

Read more: WFP urges Ukraine to reopen its ports or face global starvation

WFP said funding levels have not matched the need and “we must act now to avoid increasing hunger levels and to save the lives of those already affected.”

The October coup, Sudan’s latest, triggered wide international condemnation and cuts to crucial aid by Western countries.

Save the Children, a UK-based charity organization, stated on June 8 that two children in Darfur had died “due to hunger-related causes.”