The halt of US humanitarian aid has forced the closure of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, crucial for those affected by the civil war.
Aid volunteers report that President Donald Trump’s executive order, stopping US contributions for 90 days, led to over 1,100 communal kitchens shutting down, impacting nearly two million people.
Many families are down to one meal a day, with visible signs of malnutrition. With many men killed or missing in the conflict, most refugees are women, children, and the elderly.
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since April 2023. Emergency response rooms, grassroots groups running these kitchens, are overwhelmed. “People are screaming from hunger,” says Duaa Tariq, an organizer.
The Trump administration’s aid suspension aims to review if it serves US interests, causing confusion and uncertainty about future assistance. USAID, which provided 70-80% of funding to these kitchens, is in limbo. The State Department has allowed emergency food aid, but processing waivers is unclear.
Aid agencies were already underfunded and forced to ration resources and the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) funding shortfall last year led to severe cuts in aid. The US aid freeze has added to the uncertainty.
Some refugees are seeking safety in third countries, including dangerous journeys to the Gulf, Europe, and beyond.