Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze Threatens Famine in Sudan
Sudan faces a humanitarian crisis as President Trump’s foreign aid freeze undermines critical support amid ongoing civil war. Community kitchens, reliant on USAID funding, have halted operations, threatening the lives of millions. The freezing of aid continues to exacerbate the famine conditions throughout the country, prompting urgent calls for resuming aid to prevent widespread starvation.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan has left over 30 million people urgently needing humanitarian assistance. Recently, President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid for 90 days has severely hampered the delivery of crucial support at this critical time. Humanitarian organizations, particularly the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), played a vital role in funding community kitchens that provided food and medical supplies to those affected by the conflict.
Due to the freeze, a significant network of community kitchens has had to suspend operations, which relied heavily on USAID funding. Abuzar Osman Suliman, coordinator for Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), warned that without U.S. aid, many individuals would face starvation, stating, “A lot of people will die because of hunger.” The cost to operate just one kitchen that fed 250 families for two weeks was around $10,000, highlighting the dire need for funds.
Trump’s executive order in January mandated a halt to foreign assistance programs, forcing several aid organizations to reduce their staffing and operations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to lessen the impact by seeking waivers for emergency food aid, yet many programs that relied on USAID funding remain suspended, impeding even the most essential services from operating.
In Darfur, intense fighting and the siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have made the distribution of aid nearly impossible. A famine was declared in August as food supplies dwindled, leaving displaced individuals in the Zamzam camp with difficult choices: stay and face starvation or risk their lives to seek resources elsewhere. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification indicates that famine conditions have now extended to four additional regions in Sudan.
In Khartoum, ongoing violent clashes have similarly obstructed aid delivery. The World Food Program reported their first shipment arriving only in December, long after the conflict began, relying on ERRs for distribution. Before the funding freeze, the ERRs operated 742 kitchens across Khartoum, serving approximately 816,000 people. Currently, 80% of those kitchens have ceased operations, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Despite political and ethnic tensions, the ERRs have facilitated aid distribution across various factions by emphasizing neutrality. Their community kitchen operations, orchestrated by local volunteers, have been instrumental in providing vital support. However, with the funding cuts, the sustainability of these operations is at critical risk, as highlighted by Hajooj Kuka, an ERR communications officer who is urgently seeking alternative funding sources.
The funding crisis has caused significant organizational strain, with the cancellation of expected grants compounding the problem. Catholic Relief Services noted layoffs as a direct consequence of reduced USAID funding. The annual operational cost for these kitchens approximates $20 million, yet without immediate recovery of funds, persistent famine conditions may result.
Former USAID official Andrea Tracy remarked on the complexity surrounding the funding exemption issued by Marco Rubio, emphasizing that smaller organizations may struggle immensely under such constraints. While some larger entities may find a way to absorb expenses temporarily, many will not survive the funding interruption. Meanwhile, Kuka continues to reach out for support to keep the emergency assistance programs afloat, warning, “After a month, it will be completely done.”
The recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid has critically impacted humanitarian efforts in Sudan, resulting in the closure of vital community kitchens and exacerbating an already dire famine situation. As violence continues to disrupt aid delivery, the loss of funding has placed millions at risk of starvation, highlighting the urgent need for immediate financial support to resume humanitarian operations and alleviate suffering in this war-torn region.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
