Some 19.5 million Sudanese people, or more than 40% of the population, are facing acute hunger, according to a report by a global hunger monitor.

The three-year-old war in Sudan is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people as well as devastated the economy and agriculture and displaced 14 million people.

The estimate by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is slightly lower than last year's estimate of 21.2 million people, but some 14 areas in the country's North Darfur, South Darfur, and South Kordofan states remain at risk of famine, where 135,000 people face "catastrophic" levels of hunger.

Those areas include the cities of Al Fasher and Kadugli, judged last year to be experiencing famine largely as a result of sieges by the Rapid Support Forces. But in October, the RSF fully captured Al Fasher, largely emptying the city, while this year the army broke the siege of Kadugli.

Children severely affected

Fighting rages on in the Kordofan region as well as Blue Nile state.

"Ongoing hostilities, especially around major supply routes, such as Al Obeid in North Kordofan, and the possibility of renewed siege‑like conditions continue to heighten risks," the IPC said in a statement.

Some 825,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition as insecurity, access restrictions, and budget cuts have made aid deliveries to many parts of the country difficult, the IPC said.

Sudan's rainy season, which begins around July and coincides with the leaner planting season, is expected to also worsen conditions.

Effects of Iran war

Among the other areas at risk of famine are areas in North Darfur hosting those fleeing from Al Fasher, including Tina, Um Baru, and Kernoi.

The regional Iran crisis also threatens to worsen the situation, raising food, fuel and fertiliser prices and making a successful harvest later this year less likely.