US Aid Cuts Threaten Sudan: A Recipe for Widespread Starvation

Impact of US Aid Suspension in Sudan: A Growing Humanitarian Crisis

On March 23, 2024, aid volunteers reported a staggering impact following President Donald Trump's executive order that temporarily halted contributions from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a period of 90 days. This decision resulted in the closure of over 1,100 communal kitchens designed to support those devastated by the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan.

As humanitarian assistance from the US is frozen, nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens, critical lifelines for the people affected by the civil strife, have shut down. Reliable sources reveal that this action has cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to combat Sudan’s escalating hunger crisis, with famine conditions emerging in at least five areas.

The State Department has issued an exemption for emergency food assistance; however, various Sudanese organizations have expressed significant confusion regarding its implications. The closure of these kitchens has been labeled a substantial setback by those striving to address what is now considered the world's largest hunger crisis.

“These volunteers were demanding new approaches from us, and we were adapting,” explained a representative from a former USAID partner organization. The restructuring of aid, they noted, is intended to ensure that American support is not merely continued but transformed to enhance U.S. security and prosperity.

UN officials, including Mamadou Dian Balde, Regional Bureau Director for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the necessity of rationalizing the aid process. This re-evaluation takes place in a context where existing pathways for processing waivers through USAID have become unclear, specifically regarding potential cash assistance, a crucial resource for communal kitchens.

Historically, these feeding centers began with local contributions and diaspora support but later attracted international funding, allowing them to operate effectively amidst a brutal conflict that has disrupted many parts of the country. For many, the sudden cut in US aid means a dire scenario, particularly for those like Ms. Tariq, who manages food supplies for over 25 kitchens in Khartoum.

The Trump administration's abrupt suspension of all aid was ostensibly to assess whether these expenditures align with U.S. interests. This unforeseen suspension has left almost two million vulnerable individuals in dire conditions, with aid center volunteers reporting desperate pleas for assistance.

“People pound on our doors for help,” shared Duaa Tariq, an emergency room coordinator. The volunteers who remain are “exhausted, traumatized, and underfunded,” and the anticipated increase in support for them has now become increasingly uncertain.

Top representatives from the United Nations conveyed that the repercussions of Washington's policy pivot would reverberate beyond Sudan’s borders, with a staggering two million civilians seeking refuge in neighboring nations. Rania Dagesh, Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation at the World Food Programme (WFP), observed first-hand the struggles of people in refugee camps in nearby South Sudan.

She noted, “This adds a million extra people in a region where 60% of the population faces emergency levels of hunger, illustrating the scale of the humanitarian crisis stemming from Sudan's internal conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Estimates indicate that USAID historically funded 70% to 80% of flexible cash distribution programs. Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official, criticized the recent aid suspension as a significant and damaging loss to communities relying on these resources. Tracy has initiated the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition to provide private support to embattled emergency response rooms.

She described how adaptive strategies, previously encouraged by USAID’s past leadership, have left these organizations unprepared for an escalating crisis. The recent offensive by the army in areas held by the RSF has compounded the already dire situation, leading to widespread looting and severely limited resource access.

As a result of the ongoing strife, some community groups are attempting to procure food on credit, but without foundational support, dire predictions of starvation loom large. Amid so many challenges, the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition continues to strive to fill gaps created by the absence of USAID funding.

While local communities have made commendable efforts to support newcomers, the strain is becoming increasingly palpable. Volunteers report witnessing malnourished children and parents struggling to provide adequate nourishment. “You see mothers attempting to breastfeed, with nothing to offer,” Tracy lamented.

As the humanitarian situation worsens and kitchens critical for supplying emergency meals are shuttered, it is likely that the number of refugees fleeing Sudan will increase. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that its interventions are now limited to a minimum, pinched by ongoing funding shortages. The previous year saw only 30% of donor contributions fulfilled, leading to reductions in food and water supply for refugees.

Traditionally, the United States has been a primary financial supporter of UNHCR operations. Therefore, the recent freeze on aid and ensuing uncertainty regarding possible waivers have created a precarious environment for those reliant on such assistance.

From facing bans on funding to navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles, refugees are now resorting to perilous journeys to third countries, including options that might lead them to the Gulf, Europe, and beyond. These paths are fraught with danger and hardship, highlighting the untenable situation many find themselves in.

As the humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepens, the immediate need for clarity and a robust response to aid the affected individuals has never been more urgent. Continued support for local aid organizations remains critical in mitigating the impacts of the current suspension and navigating the complexities of international aid dynamics.

In conclusion, as we reflect on the implications of the recent US aid freeze, it is clear that swift, effective action must be taken to respond to the humanitarian disaster unfolding within Sudan and its neighboring regions. The collective response of both local and international communities will determine the future trajectory of those in desperate need of assistance.