26 July-1 August 2026 Sudan News Summary: Delayed rainfall, suspended aid
Arabic news roundup
By William Greenwood
Delayed rains and drought threaten Sudan’s agricultural season and food security
Concerns are mounting in Sudan regarding the faltering of the 2026 rain-fed agricultural season, driven by delayed rainfall and reduced precipitation levels across several key agricultural states.
These concerns are accompanied by growing warnings that a continued lack of rain will exacerbate the severe food crisis, potentially escalating into a famine affecting vast areas of the country—particularly the Darfur and Kordofan regions, which are already grappling with the repercussions of armed conflict and declining agricultural activity.
Farmers in El Qadarif State—considered Sudan’s breadbasket—report that the current season is progressing worryingly; many have been unable to plow their land or begin planting due to the scarcity of rain, whereas at this same time last year, crops had already begun to sprout.
Vast areas south of El Qadarif, an area renowned for producing sorghum, sesame, and sunflowers, are witnessing a marked decline in rainfall.
The crisis is not limited to the southern part of El Qadarif; farmers in the Al-Butana Plain, one of eastern Sudan’s most important rain-fed agricultural zones, are also complaining of insufficient and delayed rainfall.
The shortened agricultural season could lead to a reduction in cultivated land and, consequently, lower production by the season's end, directly impacting food prices and market availability.
The poor agricultural season has driven many residents to leave their villages and head to cities in search of alternative sources of income.
From: Sudan Tribune
Halt in aid exacerbates suffering of displaced persons in Darfur
Thousands of displaced persons in the Sakli camp, south of Nyala in South Darfur State, are facing deteriorating living conditions due to the recent suspension of humanitarian aid, amidst complaints regarding the limited humanitarian response and rising food prices.
The camp houses over 47,000 displaced people who settled there following the outbreak of conflict in the Darfur region.
The camp’s official in charge of women and children’s affairs stated that the halt in humanitarian aid has caused living conditions to deteriorate, noting that last month, the World Food Programme distributed food baskets to only 144 of the 150 registered families—marking the first such distribution within the camp since the war began.
South Darfur State is home to more than seven major camps for displaced persons, most notably Kalma and Al-Salam; these camps host large numbers of displaced people and rely heavily on humanitarian aid.
From: Darfur24