The United States has joined the European Union, the governments of Canada, Australia and a host of other European nations in issuing an urgent call to action to avert famine in Sudan, where an estimated 19.5 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.
“There is no time to lose to save lives and prevent famine,” said a joint statement signed by the governments of the U.S. and 30 other states. The statement identified conflict as the key driver of the crisis. The war between the Sudanese government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has displaced more than 14 million people. Sudanese communities have suffered sexual violence, massacre and ethnic cleansing. The violence has damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted healthcare provision, food production, supply chains and markets.
“The situation is being exacerbated by systematic obstruction of aid and the effects of El Niño, which has resulted in reduced rainfall and increased drought across over half of Sudan,” the joint statement said. It called on the warring parties to “lift all impediments on humanitarian assistance, allow and facilitate full, safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access, and protect humanitarian personnel.”
It outlined specific actions including granting humanitarian operations crossline, cross-border and air access to Darfur and reducing red tape and clearance issues for humanitarian personnel. It called on the parties to refrain from strikes on civilian infrastructure, including agriculture and food systems and to strengthen civil-military coordination to ensure the safety of aid workers.
The Joint Statement called on members of the international community to urgently scale up funding in response to the increased needs and to support efforts to ensure the assistance reaches those most in need.
“Together we must act without delay to avert famine by supporting the winter cropping season and strengthening locally led responses,” the joint statement said.
“The alarming and growing risk of famine in Sudan demonstrates the urgency of securing a humanitarian truce, the first step towards a durable peace,” wrote U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos on X. “The Sudanese people deserve unhindered humanitarian access and a chance to engage in a political process that leads to peace in a unified Sudan.”
“The United States and President Trump are ready to support a plan for peace,” said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott in a statement. “The Sudanese people are ready to engage in a meaningful civilian dialogue. With committed partners, we can bring peace to Sudan.”