The United States announced an additional $203 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan on Thursday, aimed at assisting millions of civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in the country.
The announcement was made by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the United Nations, who called on other nations to increase their support as well.
Thomas-Greenfield described the crisis in Sudan as the worst humanitarian disaster globally, emphasizing the dire need for continued assistance.
The new funding will support civilians in Sudan as well as those who have fled to neighboring countries since the conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to the United Nations, nearly 25 million people, half of Sudan’s population, need aid, with famine looming and 10 million displaced from their homes.
Over 2.2 million of these individuals have sought refuge in other countries.
Thomas-Greenfield noted that the scale of the crisis is enormous, and while the situation is grim, efforts must continue to aid the people of Sudan.
She highlighted the severe conditions faced by many, including people eating dirt and relying on leaves for sustenance.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report last month indicated a real risk of famine in 14 regions of Sudan if the conflict escalates.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has labeled the worsening hunger crisis as the worst in the world.
The additional U.S. funds bring the total American contribution for humanitarian aid to Sudan, Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan to $707 million since October.
The US remains the largest single donor for humanitarian response efforts.
Thomas-Greenfield also emphasized the need for increased humanitarian funding and urged both warring parties on the ground to facilitate access to aid.
She stated that the US is prepared to push for further action from the United Nations Security Council to ensure aid reaches those in critical need.
The US Ambassador called for the Security Council to explore all available options, including authorizing aid movements through sensitive border crossings like the Adre border crossing into Sudan, similar to past operations in Syria.
From 2014 to 2023, the Security Council approved aid shipments from neighboring countries to millions of people in opposition-held areas in Syria, overcoming restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities.
