Sudan’s soaring inflation pushes families into hardship

Sudan’s economy is spiralling as the national pound loses value and basic food items become increasingly unaffordable. Al Jazeera reported that the price of a loaf of bread, a kilogram of sugar and cuts of meat have all risen sharply in recent months, stretching household budgets to the breaking point.

The devaluation of the Sudanese pound has been dramatic. Since the start of 2024, the exchange rate has more than doubled against the US dollar, eroding savings and making imports—particularly essential foodstuffs—far more expensive. Al Jazeera noted that many families now spend a larger share of their income on a single meal, with some reporting that a modest breakfast that once cost a few hundred piasters now costs several thousand.

The crisis did not emerge in a vacuum. Sudan has been mired in political turmoil since the 2021 military coup that toppled the transitional government, followed by a protracted civil war that disrupted oil production, the country’s main source of foreign exchange. International sanctions and a stalled IMF program have further limited access to external financing, leaving the government with few tools to stabilise the currency or subsidise food prices.

For ordinary Sudanese, the combined effect of war‑induced displacement and soaring living costs is acute. Women in Khartoum’s informal settlements describe rationing meals, while traders in Darfur report customers abandoning markets altogether. Al Jazeera highlighted that many households are forced to sell livestock or borrow at exorbitant interest rates just to purchase staple goods.

Humanitarian agencies are scrambling to fill the gap. The United Nations World Food Programme has increased food aid shipments, but logistical hurdles and funding shortfalls limit distribution. Economists warn that without a credible monetary reform and a durable peace settlement, inflation could accelerate further, entrenching poverty for a generation.

The situation underscores how macro‑economic instability can compound the human toll of conflict. As Sudan’s pound continues to slide, families across the nation face a stark choice: endure chronic hunger or seek uncertain opportunities abroad, a migration trend that could reshape the region’s demographic landscape.