In brief
The freezing of US humanitarian assistance to Sudan has resulted in the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens, exacerbating a severe hunger crisis that affects millions. Local activists warn of impending starvation, as the cut puts vital resources beyond reach for those devastated by the ongoing civil conflict.
The freezing of US humanitarian assistance has forced the closure of almost 80% of the emergency food kitchens set up to help people left destitute by Sudan's civil war, the BBC has learned. Aid volunteers reported that President Biden’s decision to halt contributions from the US government's development organization (USAID) for a review period has led to the shutting down of over 1,100 communal kitchens, leaving nearly two million individuals in dire straits.Since the onset of the conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, tens of thousands have died, millions have been displaced, and many are now faced with famine. "People are knocking on the volunteers' doors," said Duaa Tariq, an organizer with the emergency response networks, as desperate calls for help ring out in the streets.The Biden administration has suspended all US aid to reconsider its international commitments and has signaled a restructuring of USAID operations. An exemption for emergency food assistance has been issued, but local groups, including those running the communal kitchens, remain in limbo regarding the nature of support expected to continue. Historically, USAID has accounted for about 70-80% of the funding for flexible cash programs that support food initiatives.Now, the majority of Sudan's emergency kitchens are seeing a significant reduction in operation, severely hindering efforts to address an escalating hunger crisis hitting the region. As a result of the funding cuts, many kitchens, previously reliant on local and diaspora donations, can no longer secure necessary resources. Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official, described the situation as a "huge setback." Her Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition is now attempting to offset the losses through private donations, but acknowledges that such contributions will never replace the prior scale of aid.Local humanitarian efforts have shifted focus towards community-based solutions, but the existing organizations are beleaguered and "exhausted." Furthermore, the State Department has not clarified how existing aid waivers will be processed, leaving frontline workers scrambling for answers.The situation is already dire, with the World Food Programme confirming that ten dozen local grants are experiencing uncertainty due to the ongoing review of US funding. Washington, which previously was Sudan's largest aid donor, has sparked concerns that its policy shifts will resonate beyond the nation’s borders, with over two million Sudanese refugees already straining resources in neighboring countries.UN officials highlighted that the influx of refugees into regions already grappling with severe hunger crises is creating an unsustainable scenario; in South Sudan alone, newly arrived refugees are exacerbating the existing humanitarian strain.Amidst the worsening plight of the Sudanese population, local communities have shown resilience, extending support to those seeking refuge. However, the uncertainty surrounding future funding puts millions at risk of starvation as the kitchens providing emergency meals continue to close down in the wake of the aid freeze. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations emphasize that the budget shortfalls limit their capacity to meet urgent needs, leading to grim choices for those attempting to survive through increasingly difficult conditions.
