A US decision to suspend humanitarian aid has led to the closure of nearly 80% of Sudan’s emergency food kitchens, cutting off a vital lifeline for almost two million people affected by the country’s ongoing civil war.
The kitchens, operated by grassroots volunteer networks, relied heavily on US funding through USAID. However, an executive order from President Donald Trump halted all contributions for 90 days, leaving thousands without access to food. While the State Department later granted exemptions for emergency aid, uncertainty remains over whether cash assistance—critical for the kitchens’ operations—will be restored.
With the war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continuing since April 2023, millions have been displaced, and famine conditions are worsening. Many emergency kitchens that once relied on international funding have now shut down, forcing volunteers to seek food on credit from local farmers and fishermen.
Aid organizations warn that the funding freeze is a major setback in tackling what has become the world’s largest hunger crisis. Private donors and relief groups are now trying to fill the gap left by the USAID suspension, but experts fear their efforts may not be enough.
The situation is further exacerbated by a surge in refugees fleeing Sudan to neighboring countries like South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt, where aid agencies are already struggling with limited resources. With no resolution to the conflict in sight, the hunger crisis is expected to deepen, putting millions more at risk.
