Sudan at a Crossroads: Food Systems, Hunger, and Humanitarian Aid During Civil Conflict

2 May 2024. Hybrid Policy Seminar, Sudan at a Crossroads: Food Systems, Hunger, and Humanitarian Aid During Civil Conflict

In April 2023, Sudan descended into a violent civil war that has displaced more than 8 million people, destroyed critical infrastructure, and left half the country’s population in need of humanitarian assistance. More than one year later, the unresolved conflict threatens agricultural production, agroprocessing, and trade, exacerbating Sudan’s status as a failed state. Sudan’s trajectory is therefore relevant for the broader community of scholars and practitioners working to enhance food systems and food security in fragile states facing complex humanitarian emergencies.

This IFPRI policy seminar will reflect on urgent data, analytical, and policy needs to mitigate food insecurity and revitalize food systems in Sudan. Several interrelated issues will be addressed, including options for policy engagement in the absence of a legitimate government, the viability of balancing immediate humanitarian needs with longer-term investments in agricultural development, and possible post-conflict scenarios that might affect priority-setting for the food system. The event will bring together researchers from IFPRI’s Sudan country program, conflict analysts, humanitarian donors, and country experts in a hybrid format.

Danielle Resnick, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategies and Governance Unit (DSG), IFPRI

• Overview Remarks from USAID Tyler Beckelman, Deputy Assistant Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Africa Bureau
• Sudan’s Conflict and Complex Emergencies Alex de Waal, Professor and Executive Director, World Peace Foundation, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
• Food Security Before and During the War: Evidence from National Rural Household Survey Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategies and Governance (DSG) Unit and Sudan Country Strategy Support Program Leader, IFPRI
• Shocks, Coping, and Livelihood Strategies due to the War Oliver Kiptoo Kirui, Research Fellow, Development Strategies and Governance (DSG) Unit, Sudan Country Strategy Support Program, IFPRI
• Economic Costs of the War and Recovery Options Karl Pauw, Senior Research Fellow, Foresight, Policy, and Modeling (FPM) Unit, IFPRI
• Local and External Competencies for Peacebuilding in Sudan Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director of the Economic Research Forum and former Sudan Minister of Finance
• Closing Remarks Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI; Managing Director, Systems Transformation, CGIAR