Causes of Mass Mortality in Southern Sudan in 1991

In 1991, the primary cause of widespread death in southern Sudan was a severe famine driven by a deadly combination of factors:

• Ongoing Civil War: The Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005) disrupted agriculture, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced millions.
• Drought: Poor rains in 1990–1991 caused crop failures across the region.
• Mass Displacement: War and hunger forced millions to flee, cutting them off from food sources and aid.
• Obstruction of Aid: Warring parties (government and SPLM/A factions) frequently blocked or diverted humanitarian relief.

The famine particularly affected areas like Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile. Estimates suggest tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands perished from starvation and related diseases (measles, cholera, malaria) during this period. The crisis drew international attention and led to Operation Lifeline Sudan, a major UN-led humanitarian corridor.