Sudan faces a deepening humanitarian crisis due to President Trump’s freeze on foreign aid, resulting in the closure of community kitchens critical for food support. With over 30 million people needing assistance amid ongoing conflict, the situation has become dire. The Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) warned that without funding, many will die from hunger, highlighting the urgent necessity for re-establishment of aid funding.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has intensified due to a recent executive order by President Donald Trump, which imposed a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid. This timing is particularly disastrous for Sudan, where over 30 million individuals require urgent humanitarian support following two years of devastating civil conflict. As a result, a crucial network of communal kitchens that provided food and other necessities has had to halt operations, significantly impacting vulnerable populations.
These kitchens were vital components of Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), a grassroots initiative that delivered essential relief to regions inaccessible to traditional aid agencies. Abuzar Osman Suliman, the ERRs coordinator in Darfur, emphasized that without American funding, “a lot of people will die because of hunger,” highlighting the urgent need for financial assistance. A single kitchen required approximately $10,000 to feed 250 families for two weeks in Darfur.
Trump’s aid freeze requires the closure of U.S. funded aid programs worldwide, causing widespread staffing layoffs. Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to mitigate the fallout by exempting emergency food assistance and life-saving programs, USAID officials and aid organizations report that operational funds and staffing have yet to be restored. This stall in operations has further complicated the delivery of vital aid amidst severe fighting in Darfur.
Currently, the conflict involves two main factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abd al-Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) controlled by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Their breakdown in cooperation following the collapse of the government in 2021 led to hostilities escalating into war in April 2023. Consequently, humanitarian organizations have noted a shift, with famine declared across various regions, affecting millions already displaced by the conflict.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), famine conditions have spread to four additional areas in Sudan as the ongoing conflict and lack of access to basic assistance result in worsening food insecurity. In Khartoum, distribution efforts have been severely impeded due to persistent urban warfare, as evidenced by the World Food Program’s struggles to make timely deliveries.
The ERRs previously operated over 740 kitchens across Khartoum, catering to approximately 816,000 individuals before the funding cut. An alarming 80% of these kitchens have since closed, raising concerns about the future of food security in the region. This effort has largely depended on local volunteers, underscoring the critical need for continued support and adequate funding.
Moreover, it has become evident to ERR coordinators that USAID was instrumental in their funding structure, a risk they previously underestimated. The cancellation of a substantial $50,000 grant from Catholic Relief Services exemplifies the dire financial environment, leading to potential layoffs in organizations fundamentally dedicated to humanitarian efforts.
The cost of maintaining the communal kitchens amounted to roughly $20 million annually, making them particularly sensitive to funding cuts from the U.S. government. While larger organizations might manage through reimbursement, smaller entities face immediate operational disruptions. As funding gaps widen, ERR representatives are reaching out to alternative donors to support emergent programs.
Although a recent federal court ruling temporarily reinstated some USAID staff, the operational uncertainty continues to overshadow the agency’s ability to respond effectively. Consequently, the long-term viability of humanitarian initiatives remains precarious as organizers scramble to gather resources to prevent imminent famine in regions such as Darfur.
The freeze on U.S. foreign aid has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, resulting in the closure of vital community kitchens and increased risk of famine. With millions requiring assistance, the operational challenges faced by agencies and initiatives like ERRs reveal a dire need for immediate funding. The ongoing conflict conditions necessitate renewed engagement from global stakeholders to avert further suffering in Sudan and address the immediate humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
