President Trump’s freeze on foreign aid threatens to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where over 30 million people require assistance. Community kitchens supported predominantly by USAID funding have had to close, halting essential food provisions amidst ongoing civil conflict. The situation could lead to widespread famine if not addressed promptly.
The imposition of a 90-day freeze on foreign aid by President Donald Trump presents a dire situation for Sudan, a nation already suffering from two years of civil conflict. Approximately 30 million individuals, exceeding half of the country’s total population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. This freeze has severely impacted the funding of local community kitchens that provide essential support to the displaced and affected populations.
The Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), a grassroots initiative, have had to halt most of their operations due to the loss of about 75% of their funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Abuzar Osman Suliman, coordinator of the ERRs in Darfur, indicated that without this support, “a lot of people will die because of hunger.” He estimated that the program needs around $10,000 to feed 250 families for two weeks, with a critical window of 10 to 20 days until starvation becomes lethal.
Following the executive order signed on January 20, the freeze has forced many aid programs to shut down, leading to staff layoffs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has attempted to issue waivers for emergency food aid; however, many aid agencies report that funding and staffing have not been reinstated. As a result, vital programs remain dormant, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In the Zamzam camp, home to over 1 million displaced individuals, all 40 community kitchens managed by the ERRs have ceased operations. This camp is particularly affected by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading Suliman to express that starvation looms as civilians face impossible choices between remaining in camps or risking their lives to seek food elsewhere.
Famine conditions have emerged and expanded to four other regions in Sudan, creating a deteriorating situation compounded by warfare and blocked humanitarian access. In the capital city, Khartoum, fighting has made it extremely challenging for aid to be delivered effectively, with significant delays in food assistance shipments.
Prior to the aid suspensions, the ERRs served approximately 816,000 individuals through 742 kitchens in the Khartoum region. However, the recent funding cuts have resulted in the closure of 80% of these kitchens, significantly impacting a population already suffering from ethnic and political strife. The ERRs have sustained themselves through local volunteer efforts, but the loss of USAID funding has rendered them precariously vulnerable.
Local aid efforts rely on immediate funds to procure supplies directly from markets, making the freeze particularly damaging. Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official, described the waiver process as complicated and poorly understood, leaving many agencies uncertain about their operations.
Although a recent federal ruling suspended an order to place USAID personnel on administrative leave, it remains unclear how effectively the agency can resume operations amid such resource constraints. The ERRs are now urgently seeking additional funding from institutional donors to address the funding shortfalls and continue aiding the distressed populace.
The freezing of foreign aid by President Trump critically jeopardizes humanitarian efforts in Sudan, where millions are at risk of starvation. Community kitchens, reliant on USAID funding, have had to shut down, exacerbating an already desperate situation aggravated by civil conflict. With ongoing warfare and blocked humanitarian access, the negative impact of this freeze is set to continue unless immediate and significant support is restored.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
