To address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) engaged in discussions with Deputy Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Commander Lieutenant General Shams El-Dein El Kabbashi.
The conversation, held on May 9, 2024, highlighted the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access across Sudan, particularly emphasizing the necessity of cross-border access from Chad to Darfur.
Administrator Power reiterated the devastating consequences of SAF’s obstruction of humanitarian aid, stressing that five million Sudanese people are currently at risk of starvation. With 860,000 of the most vulnerable individuals left without assistance since early April, the situation demands immediate action. Power underscored Sudan’s history of bureaucratic impediments to humanitarian efforts and urged LTG Kabbashi and the SAF to swiftly lift barriers hindering aid operations.
Of particular concern was the recent escalation of hostilities in and around El Fasher, where civilians have faced attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), exacerbating the already dire conditions in Darfur. Administrator Power called for the SAF and RSF leadership to deescalate tensions and commit to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and alleviating the immense suffering endured by the Sudanese people.
The urgency of the situation prompted Administrator Power to emphasize the necessity of opening the border crossing in Adre, Chad, and lifting restrictions at other crossings to ensure the continuous delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need across Sudan.
