A U.S. aid suspension has led to the closure of about 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, affecting nearly two million people amid ongoing civil unrest. The halt, driven by considerations of U.S. interests, complicates future aid and exacerbates hunger crises in the region. Local aid organizations and communities are struggling to provide food as reliance on significant U.S. support vanishes, maximizing their efforts amid deepening despair.
The suspension of U.S. humanitarian assistance has led to the closure of approximately 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, impacting nearly two million people affected by the ongoing civil war. Aid organizations indicate that President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt contributions from USAID for 90 days has forced over 1,100 kitchens to close, leaving many families without food resources amid escalating violence.
The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and increasing famine conditions. Local activist networks, known as emergency response rooms, had established these kitchens to provide immediate food relief in their communities, as reported by Duaa Tariq, an emergency response room organizer.
The Trump administration’s abrupt suspension came under the pretext of assessing whether U.S. aid served American interests, sparking confusion regarding the continuation of emergency food aid. Although the State Department issued an exemption, uncertainty remains regarding whether cash assistance, vital for the functioning of communal kitchens, will resume, as USAID previously supplied 70-80% of funding for such programs.
This major cut is regarded as a severe blow to efforts combating one of the world’s largest hunger crises, with famine conditions noted in at least five areas. Initial funding from international agencies, including USAID, had been essential, though the kitchens previously relied on community support early in the conflict. Former USAID official Andrea Tracy described the funding freeze as a “huge setback” for the emergency relief mechanisms in place.
Former USAID head Samantha Power had shifted focus to collaborating with local organizations. This approach allowed direct aid flow to grassroots groups early in the conflict. However, the instability created by funding cuts has made it increasingly difficult for volunteers like Ms. Tariq to maintain operations in kitchens, especially as armed conflict ravages the capital, Khartoum.
Many kitchens have ceased operations due to the inability to purchase food supplies, leading to anticipation of widespread starvation as the situation deteriorates. The Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition, spearheaded by Ms. Tracy, is stepping in to address some shortages; however, reliance on private donations will prove inadequate to replace lost governmental assistance.
UN officials predict that the consequences of the U.S. aid suspension will extend beyond Sudan’s borders, affecting millions of refugees seeking refuge in neighboring countries. With millions displaced, the UN agencies are struggling to manage limited resources and meet basic needs. Rania Dagesh from the World Food Programme emphasized the overflowing refugee camps confronted with dire conditions of malnutrition and despair.
The influx of refugees places even more strain on already fragile systems in countries like South Sudan, where over 60% of the population faces emergency hunger. Due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, UN agencies plead for donor support while grappling with funding shortages that have led to significant service reductions.
Some refugees, aiming to escape intolerable conditions, risk dangerous journeys to distant lands such as Europe or the Gulf states. The deteriorating humanitarian context in Sudan underscores the interconnectedness of regional conflicts and the urgent need for sustained international aid to mitigate hunger and suffering.
The cessation of U.S. humanitarian assistance has precipitated a crisis in Sudan, leading to the closure of crucial emergency food kitchens and significantly impacting millions. As the civil war continues to ravage the country, the reliance on community and international aid becomes more critical, exposing vulnerabilities and threatening lives. Immediate action is necessary to stabilize the food supply and alleviate the humanitarian emergency as hundreds of thousands face starvation and displacement.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
