In brief
Nearly 80% of Sudan’s emergency food kitchens have closed due to a US humanitarian aid freeze, leaving millions without essential assistance in the wake of ongoing civil conflict.
The freezing of US humanitarian assistance has significantly impacted Sudan, leading to the closure of approximately 80% of emergency food kitchens that were essential for those suffering from the civil war's consequences. Reports indicate that over 1,100 communal kitchens have been shut down following President Donald Trump's temporary halt of contributions from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This has affected nearly two million people.Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, tens of thousands have been killed, and millions have been displaced, some now facing imminent famine. Duaa Tariq, an activist assisting local emergency response efforts, highlighted that volunteers are overwhelmed by the desperation of those seeking help, with people reportedly "screaming from hunger in the streets."While the State Department has issued emergency waivers for food assistance, the lack of clear guidelines regarding aid processing has created uncertainty. Traditionally, USAID provided 70-80% of funding to cash-based assistance programs, crucial for these communal kitchens. The desperate situation has forced many kitchens in Khartoum to rely on credit from local suppliers, but without the necessary funding, starvation is expected to rise.Former USAID official Andrea Tracy called the aid freeze a "huge setback," emphasizing the funding gap it has created for the grassroots networks that initially relied on community donations and later secured international aid. Despite efforts by local organizations to substitute lost funding through private donations, the long-term viability of these kitchens is in jeopardy.UN officials warn that the ramifications of the US policy shift will extend beyond Sudan’s borders, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has already displaced over two million people. Workers for the World Food Programme reported rising tensions at refugee camps in surrounding countries like South Sudan, which faces severe food shortages itself.Many refugees have fled from agricultural regions in Sudan, where the violence disrupted their livelihoods and essential resources. With ongoing fighting and deteriorating hunger levels within Sudan, an increase in refugee numbers is anticipated as those seeking safety cross into neighboring nations. Amid these challenges, aid organizations are struggling with limited resources, forced to reduce services significantly, leaving many in dire need without adequate support.
