Islamic Relief warns of Sudan hunger threat

New report reveals 83% of Sudanese families lack sufficient food as local volunteer kitchens risk shutdown.

Report says international neglect and volunteer burnout threaten key lifeline for millions.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Community kitchens which offer lifesaving free food for families across famine-ravaged Sudan are at risk of collapse after more than two years of brutal war, Islamic Relief warns in a new report published today (5 November). The report calls for urgent international support to keep these kitchens going. 

The warning comes as a new survey conducted by Islamic Relief in the east and west of Sudan finds 83% of families now don’t have enough food. 

The report shows how the community kitchens – known as takaaya – have been at the forefront of efforts to prevent the spread of famine across the country. Inspired by Islamic faith and community spirit, local volunteers have worked tirelessly to save lives whilst most international governments have neglected the crisis. In places like El Fasher in Darfur, where an 18-month siege has cut off all international aid, the takaaya have been the sole source of food for many families. 

Nadeem Malik, Interim Chief Executive of Islamic Relief Worldwide, says: “The war in Sudan has created one of the world’s biggest hunger crises. While the international community has looked away and slashed aid, these volunteer-run community kitchens have provided a lifeline for millions of people. But they are now at risk of collapse. The impact of losing this vital safety net would be catastrophic.” 

The report – “Takaaya: How community kitchens offer a lifeline to Sudan’s hunger crisis” – is based on household surveys and extensive interviews with takaaya volunteers across the country. Many warned their kitchens are at imminent risk of closure due to lack of funds, volunteer exhaustion, and insecurity.  

Key findings from the report:

Out of 585 households surveyed across four localities:

83% reported not having sufficient food, whilst only 17% have enough to meet household needs. 

27% reported having no food stocks remaining, whilst an additional 25% said their food would last less than one week – meaning 52% of households indicated their food supplies would not last beyond one week. 

Over 41% were classified as having a poor food consumption score, with 32% in the borderline category, and only 27% achieving an acceptable score.

Interview with takayya volunteers revealed:  

Some takaaya have already had to close – one volunteer in Khartoum said eight of the 11 kitchens in his areas have shut down this year.  

Even many of the kitchens that remain open have had to reduce meals by 50% or more – from two or three meals a day to once a day. 

Volunteers predict most takaaya will close within six months if funding and support do not increase. 

The takaaya draw on centuries-old Sudanese traditions of mutual aid known as nafeer, as well as Islamic principles of charity (sadaqah and zakat). Often based in mosques, homes, or community centres, they operate with transparency and democratic decision-making, providing not just food but also preserving dignity and social cohesion.  

The cost of a meal provided by takaaya in Khartoum ranges from GB£1.50-£3.38 (US$2 – $4.40), making them highly cost-effective compared to traditional humanitarian aid. They can also operate in areas too dangerous or inaccessible for international agencies. 

However, the report warns that without urgent support, these vital networks face collapse due to: 

Financial fragility – most operate day-to-day and rely mostly on cash and food donations from Sudanese diaspora and local community.

Hyperinflation and market disruptions affecting food and fuel supply.

Volunteer exhaustion and security risks after more than two years of crisis, with interviewees saying they feel abandoned by the world. 

Limited coordination with, and support from, formal humanitarian actors. 

Lack of predictable or sustained funding – made worse by global aid cuts this year 

The report makes a series of urgent recommendations to scale up and improve international support to the takaaya, including:

• Providing flexible, direct and accessible funding 
• Fostering genuine partnerships that empower rather than co-opt local leadership 
• Recognising community-led responses within humanitarian frameworks 
• Adapting humanitarian aid approaches to better support local responses 

Since the war erupted in April 2023, Islamic Relief has supported more than 1.2 million people with aid – such as food, medical supplies, cash assistance, agricultural support and mental health support – and works in partnership with takaaya across the country, including in hard-to-reach areas such as Darfur and North Kordofan. 

Source: Islamic Relief

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