Six years ago, the people of Sudan rose up to topple a dictator and pursue democratic governance. But their hopes were dashed by a military takeover in 2021 and the brutal fighting that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. These events have unleashed the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in recent remarks to the U.N. Security Council.
“We continue to see war crimes and crimes against humanity committed across vast parts of Sudan. In Zamzam, people have resorted to eating grass and peanut shells. By some estimates, a child there dies every two hours for lack of food.”
The effects of this tragedy extend beyond Sudan’s borders, as more than 3 million Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries.
The United States remains the largest provider of humanitarian aid to the people of Sudan, said Secretary Blinken.
“[W]e’re announcing an additional roughly $200 million more for food, for shelter, for health care, bringing total U.S. support to more than $2.3 billion since fighting broke out last year.”
Secretary Blinken laid out four ways to improve the situation in Sudan and ultimately achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “First, we have to get more aid, more relief where it’s needed most - safely, rapidly, [and] unhindered,” he said.
“In November, aid groups distributed 19,000 metric tons of assistance in Sudan. That was a fourfold increase since August. Yet to even come close to meeting the immense demand, we need to double that: 40,000 metric tons every single month. It means the international community has to give more to support those in Sudan as well as refugees in countries like Egypt and Chad that are so generously hosting them.”
Secretary Blinken further urged the U.N. Security Council to press both warring parties to protect civilians, to stop atrocities, and to end the fighting.
The Security Council must also make clear to outside actors, including Russia that they cannot continue to fan the flames of war in Sudan.
Finally, the international community must support the Sudanese people as they work to revive the transition to inclusive, civilian-led, democratic governance.
We have a responsibility to end this war and to support the Sudanese people, said Secretary Blinken. “[L]et’s seize this moment.”
