To address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on June 14, 2024, that the U.S. will provide more than $315 million in additional humanitarian aid.
This effort, backed by USAID and the U.S. Department of State, aims to support millions of Sudanese people severely affected by the ongoing conflict.
The announcement, made by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, comes in response to 14 months of war that have pushed nearly five million Sudanese into extreme hunger.
Current data indicates rising levels of acute malnutrition and hunger-related deaths among internally displaced populations, with the International Organization for Migration reporting that the number of internally displaced people in Sudan has now surpassed 10 million.
The humanitarian aid package will address critical needs, including the provision of food, malnutrition screening and treatment for young children, access to safe drinking water, and emergency healthcare services.
Additionally, the Department of State will allocate funds to support refugees and host communities in Sudan and neighboring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. This comprehensive support will cover protection, education, health services, nutrition, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
However, the successful delivery of this aid hinges on the cooperation of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who must facilitate unhindered humanitarian access.
Administrator Power emphasized the need for cross-line assistance and cross-border movements, particularly through Adre on the Chad border, to mitigate famine-like conditions affecting millions.
The United States remains committed to scaling up and sustaining the capacity of humanitarian partners through both market-based and in-kind support. The international community calls on the SAF and RSF to comply with international humanitarian law and resume peace negotiations to end the conflict that has wrought extensive suffering on the Sudanese people.
