The U.S. humanitarian aid cut has led to the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, leaving two million people vulnerable to starvation amid escalating conflict. Local aid groups report severe food shortages, while the future funding landscape remains uncertain, affecting both local communities and refugees fleeing the war. The U.N. agencies face severe resource constraints in providing adequate assistance during this ongoing crisis.
The suspension of U.S. humanitarian assistance in Sudan has led to the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens, which were essential for those affected by the ongoing civil war. This aid cut, resulting from an executive order from the Trump administration, has left approximately two million people vulnerable to starvation as more than 1,100 communal kitchens have shut down.
Since the conflict broke out in April 2023, an escalating violence between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in numerous fatalities and widespread displacement, further exacerbating food shortages. Local organizers, such as Duaa Tariq, report an alarming rise in desperation, stating that “People are screaming from hunger in the streets.”
Although the State Department has exempted emergency food assistance from the aid freeze, local Sudanese groups express confusion about the criteria for funding approvals and the restoration of cash assistance, which is vital for sustaining their kitchens. Approximately 70-80% of funding for these community-based initiatives historically came from USAID, making the current situation an urgent concern for aid organizations.
The need for support is intensified by the closure of the kitchens, which were pivotal during the early stages of the civil conflict, transitioning from community donations to international funding as access to conflict zones became more challenging. Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official, describes this funding gap as a major setback while emphasizing the need for private donations to maintain operations.
The humanitarian strategies that previously collected funds through established channels are facing severe challenges as the aid landscape shifts. The closure of kitchens, which served over 25 feeding locations in Khartoum, will likely lead to increased hunger levels, a situation Ms. Tariq fears will culminate in outright starvation.
Duplicity surrounds the future of funding for organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP), which has obtained waivers for existing grants, but faces uncertainty for upcoming support. This precarious funding environment complicates aid negotiations and intensifies the crisis affecting over two million refugees fleeing into neighboring countries, straining already limited resources.
The influx of refugees continues to burden local communities, already grappling with their own humanitarian challenges. In South Sudan, Rania Dagesh of the WFP highlighted the alarming malnutrition rates among displaced populations as families are reduced to meager daily rations. As the conflict endures with no end in sight, many are left with no choice but to seek refuge in other nations under increasingly perilous conditions.
Compounding these difficulties, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) observes severe limitations in their ability to respond due to chronic underfunding. The lack of adequate resources has necessitated drastic reductions in the assistance provided to refugees, leaving them with minimal rations and basic necessities. With the recent U.S. aid suspension further complicating the situation, agencies are scrambling to reassess their strategies in a humanitarian crisis that continues unabated.
In summary, the U.S. aid suspension has drastically hindered humanitarian efforts in Sudan, closing vital emergency kitchens and leaving millions in desperate need of food assistance. The ongoing conflict exacerbates the crisis, creating a complex web of challenges for local and international aid organizations. With funding uncertainty looming, the humanitarian outlook for Sudan remains bleak, highlighting the urgent need for continued support and intervention.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
