Sudan is teetering on the brink of famine as the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to ravage the country.
A recent report from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power highlights the unprecedented hunger crisis, with more than half of Sudan’s population – 25.6 million people – facing severe hunger and in dire need of humanitarian aid.
The alarming data reveals that 755,000 individuals are on the brink of starvation, marking the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded in Sudan by international experts.
The situation is being compared to the catastrophic famine in Ethiopia during the early 1980s, raising global concern.
“This is a man-made crisis – directly caused by the 14 months of conflict between the SAF and RSF, and the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid by both parties,” Power stated.
Despite these challenges, USAID and its partners are steadfast in their efforts to provide critical humanitarian assistance, including food, malnutrition screening and treatment for young children, and emergency health care.
The United States has committed over $1.4 billion in humanitarian aid to Sudan since October 2022, striving to support the most vulnerable amidst the ongoing conflict.
However, the report states the need for increased and sustained cross-border and cross-line assistance to effectively deliver food, medical supplies, and other life-saving commodities across conflicting territories.
Power urged the SAF and RSF to negotiate an immediate ceasefire to allow for predictable and sustained humanitarian access to all Sudanese citizens.
“The United States continues to stand with the people of Sudan suffering as a result of this conflict and will do all that we can to get life-saving aid where it is needed most”.
