US Aid Cut Results in Starvation Crisis Amid Sudan Conflict

The recent suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid has led to the shutdown of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, affecting approximately two million people. The conflict, now ongoing since April 2023, has already displaced millions and resulted in a severe hunger crisis. Grassroots organizations are struggling to cope with the financial strain, emphasizing the need for immediate international assistance and a clear restructuring of support efforts.

The cessation of US humanitarian aid in Sudan has led to the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens, leaving nearly two million people at risk of starvation. An executive order by President Trump halted contributions from USAID for 90 days, resulting in the closure of over 1,100 communal kitchens run by grassroots organizations dedicated to alleviating hunger amid the ongoing civil war.

Since the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces in April 2023, the situation has escalated, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Aid organizers, like Duaa Tariq, report desperate scenes, stating, “People are knocking on the volunteers’ doors; people are screaming from hunger in the streets.”

Following the US aid freeze, confusion surrounding emergency food assistance has emerged. While the State Department has announced an exemption for urgent aid, the specific implications for cash assistance remain unclear. Aid organizations are concerned about the severe impact on hunger relief initiatives, as USAID used to fund 70-80% of these programs.

The network of emergency kitchens previously relied on community and diaspora donations before attracting international support. Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official, described the funding cuts as a “huge setback” as local organizations struggle to fulfill the heightened needs amid worsening conditions.

In response to the aid cuts, Ms. Tariq expressed concerns over the inability to stock communal kitchens, especially as fighting intensifies in areas under siege by the army. Many kitchens that had previously managed to operate on community support are now failing to keep up with the rising demand for food.

Efforts like the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition, founded by Tracy, seek to fill the funding void left by USAID’s withdrawal. However, it is clear that private donations cannot entirely compensate for the loss of traditional humanitarian aid.

As local organizations struggle with exhaustion and underfunding, the need for a reformulated approach to aid is paramount. The State Department has not provided clear solutions regarding the waiver for Sudan, emphasizing the intention to restructure rather than eliminate foreign aid.

The World Food Programme reports ongoing funding negotiations while USAID’s historical role as the largest donor to Sudan remains uncertain due to these policy changes. Top UN officials have warned that the implications of the US aid freeze will extend beyond Sudan, worsening conditions for the two million refugees in neighboring countries.

Humanitarian workers, such as Rania Dagesh of the WFP, highlight the dire condition of refugees, many of whom left everything behind in search of safety. With food resources already stretched thin, the UNHCR has had to reduce essential services due to funding shortages, exacerbating desperate situations.

Given the systematic closure of emergency meal kitchens, more refugees can be expected to flee into neighboring countries, leading to increased strain on already scarce resources. Meanwhile, the UNHCR faces ongoing funding challenges, with only 30% of last year’s anticipated contributions met.

This ongoing crisis emphasizes the urgent necessity for effective international responses to support both refugees and internally displaced individuals, working collaboratively to restore stability and peace in Sudan and its surrounding regions.

The freezing of U.S. humanitarian assistance in Sudan has resulted in widespread closures of emergency food kitchens, critically endangering the lives of nearly two million people facing starvation due to the ongoing civil war. The cutback in aid not only exacerbates the hunger crisis within Sudan but also impacts neighboring countries dealing with an influx of refugees. Urgent action and collaboration from international agencies are essential to address the escalating humanitarian needs and restore a pathway to peace and stability.

Original Source: www.bbc.com