‘We need the world to wake up’: Sudan facing world’s deadliest famine in 40 years

Sudan is in the grip of the largest humanitarian crisis on the face of the planet. Photograph: El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters

Sudan is facing a famine that could become worse than any the world has seen since Ethiopia 40 years ago, US officials have warned, as aid deliveries continue to be blocked by the warring armies but arms supplies to both sides continue to flow in.

With much of the world’s attention focused on Gaza, the scene of another human-made famine, Sudan is already the worst humanitarian crisis in the world and is slipping towards a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions, with far less media coverage and global concern. A UN humanitarian appeal for the country has received only 16% of the funds it needs.