The tragedy unfolding in Sudan is catastrophic. There are over 10 million new, forcibly displaced people, including over two million who have fled to neighboring countries in search of safety, noted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a recent briefing.
“And then there’s the hunger,” she said:
“25.6 million people who face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity – a third of them, facing emergency conditions. And three quarters of a million people, women and children, the very old and very young, facing famine, starvation. ... People are eating dirt to survive. Relying on tree leaves for nutrition.”
This crisis in Sudan has been met largely with silence, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.
“Three months after the April 15th pledging conference in Paris, only two-thirds of the pledges have been disbursed, and only about a quarter of the response has been funded. All the while, the Adre border crossing, one of the most important in terms of humanitarian aid flow, continues to be blocked by the [Sudanese Armed Forces]. This obstruction is completely unacceptable.”
Since 2024, the United States has committed half a billion dollars to humanitarian assistance in Sudan, aimed at supplying those in need with health and nutrition, education and transit assistance, water and sanitation, shelter and psychological support. These funds not only go to those within Sudan but also to neighboring countries like Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, which are taking in more and more asylum seekers and refugees every day.
“But we know that need is outpacing funds,” warned Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.
“I’m proud to announce that [the United States] will provide an additional $203 million dollars in funding to the people of Sudan. We hope this new round of aid serves as a call to action for others to follow.”
This money, however, is not a panacea, cautioned Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. That’s why, in addition to funding the response to this crisis, “we will continue to work steadfastly to address the root causes,” she said. Most importantly, the United States will continue diplomatic efforts to end this horrific conflict and put Sudan back on the road to democracy, stability, and security.
The United States is grateful for all of those partners who have joined in the undertaking to end the horrific situation in Sudan and urges more countries to do the same.
