The Impact of US Aid Reductions: Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The suspension of US aid has closed nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, leaving millions struggling for survival amid escalating conflict. Organizations warn that the situation will lead to widespread famine and displacement effects beyond Sudan's borders.

The freezing of humanitarian assistance from the United States has resulted in the closure of approximately 80% of emergency food kitchens intended to support vulnerable populations affected by Sudan's ongoing civil war. Volunteers in affected regions report that around 1,100 community kitchens have ceased operations, critically undermining the food security of nearly two million individuals.

Since the outbreak of fighting in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and forced millions into displacement, the situation has rapidly deteriorated. Duaa Tariq, an organizer from one of the emergency response rooms, expressed grave concern: "People are knocking on the volunteers' doors. People are screaming from hunger in the streets."

The sharp decrease in aid stems from an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that placed a 90-day hold on contributions through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). While the State Department has since issued exemptions for emergency food assistance, confusion reigns regarding the practical implications for organizations reliant on this funding stream. Historically, USAID’s cash assistance has constituted 70-80% of the support for these communal kitchens.

The closure of these kitchens represents a major setback amidst an already critical humanitarian situation, with the World Food Programme (WFP) reporting famine conditions in several locations across Sudan. Initially, these communal kitchens were funded through community donations, but as the war progressed, they increasingly depended on support from international agencies like USAID.

Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official who has since established a private funding initiative, the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition, remarked, "These volunteers were challenging us to work differently, and we were responding." However, the funding gap created by the abrupt aid freeze poses a formidable challenge to maintaining existing services and feeding those in dire need.

In addition to immediate hunger concerns, the refugee crisis prompted by the conflict is escalating. With millions fleeing into neighboring countries, local resources are already strained. Those escaping Sudan often find themselves living in precarious conditions with insufficient aid—particularly among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Ongoing conflict, compounded by the US aid reduction, leaves many humanitarian agencies struggling to provide adequate support. UN officials noted that as the situation deteriorates in Sudan, those displaced face increasingly grim choices, including seeking safety in more distant countries. The future remains uncertain, particularly as processes for securing necessary aid and support remain under review.

The consequences of the US aid freeze reverberate not just within Sudan, but throughout the region, as neighboring countries grapple with the influx of refugees and the expanding humanitarian needs of their own populations. The shifting landscape poses a daunting challenge for aid organizations already overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis.