USAID has announced plans to provide an additional $38 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan. This includes $23 million earmarked for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support ongoing aid efforts for Sudanese children.
Tyler Beckelman, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa, revealed the funding at the “Unite with the Children of Sudan” event in Nairobi, Kenya, which was organized by USAID, UNICEF, and Save the Children.
The event aimed to highlight the severe challenges faced by young Sudanese amid 14 months of war.
This latest commitment raises the total U.S. government humanitarian assistance to over $1.4 billion since October 2022.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left an estimated 14 million children in need of humanitarian assistance, out of a total of 24 million children in Sudan. Nearly four million children are expected to face acute malnutrition in 2024.
Parts of Khartoum and the Darfur region are experiencing famine-like conditions, with an increasing risk of famine during the June to September lean season, highlighting the urgent need for more humanitarian aid. However, ongoing obstruction by the SAF and RSF is hindering humanitarian efforts to deliver essential food, medicine, and other lifesaving assistance.
The additional support from USAID will enable UNICEF and international nongovernmental partners to continue their critical relief efforts. Since the conflict began, UNICEF has screened millions of children under five for malnutrition and operates over 1,000 safe spaces in Sudan, providing conflict-affected children with counseling, learning, and protection services. Additionally, with USAID’s backing, UNICEF supports maternal and child health services, including essential vaccination campaigns in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Sudan during this ongoing conflict and worsening humanitarian crisis. While substantial funding is essential to sustain relief operations, it is not sufficient on its own.
The conflicting parties must cease hostilities, stop interfering with humanitarian operations, and ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian staff and supplies to reach those in need across borders and conflict lines.
