Aid Freeze Threatens Lives in Sudan as Emergency Kitchens Close

The recent freezing of US aid has forced the closure of around 1,100 emergency food kitchens in Sudan, intensifying the hunger crisis as millions struggle for survival in the ongoing civil war.

The freezing of US humanitarian assistance has resulted in the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, leaving approximately two million people vulnerable to hunger. The decision, influenced by President Donald Trump's executive order to halt contributions from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a 90-day review, has significantly impacted local communities.

Aid volunteers reported that about 1,100 communal kitchens—crucial lifelines for those affected by the civil war—have ceased operations since the announcement. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has already led to tens of thousands of deaths and forced millions from their homes, with famine conditions reported in several regions.

"People are knocking on the volunteers' doors," said Duaa Tariq, one of the organizers overseeing the emergency kitchens. "People are screaming from hunger in the streets." The freezing of aid, although concise as to emergencies, has generated confusion regarding the reinstatement of cash assistance critical to the operation of communal kitchens.

Local networks, traditionally reliant on community donations, had significantly depended on international support to navigate the humanitarian crisis. "The closure is a huge setback," remarked Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official now involved in fundraising efforts. Despite the challenges, the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition aims to alleviate the funding gap left by the aid suspension, but the anticipated reliance on private donations raises concerns about sustainability.

The World Food Programme (WFP), while securing waivers for existing US-supported grants, faces uncertainty regarding future funding. Both WFP officials and representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicated the implications of the US policy shift would extend beyond Sudan's borders, with millions of refugees exacerbating the strain on neighboring countries, such as South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt.

"The situation is extremely difficult," noted the UNHCR’s regional director, emphasizing the already dire circumstances faced by refugees. Many are reportedly reduced to a single meal a day with dire consequences for children and the elderly.

Escalating conflicts and inadequate support orchestrated by the freeze on humanitarian aid pose critical threats to survival within the affected regions. As community kitchens are shuttered and aid diminishes, the humanitarian crisis is anticipated to deepen, pushing more individuals to flee their homes in search of safety and sustenance amidst a protracted conflict with no end in sight.