The recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid under President Trump’s administration has forced soup kitchens in Sudan to turn people away, worsening a hunger crisis amid ongoing warfare. Thousands are at risk of starvation as essential food programs cease operations, highlighting urgent needs for humanitarian assistance in a nation already burdened by violence and displacement.
In Sudan, soup kitchens are being forced to deny meals for the first time in nearly two years due to a halt in essential U.S. aid. President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign assistance, including the dismantling of USAID, has severely impacted aid programs crucial for feeding the hungry populace. A Sudanese fundraising volunteer stated, “People will die because of these decisions,” emphasizing the dire need for continued support in Khartoum.
Currently, there are 40 community-operated kitchens that used to provide meals for 30,000 to 35,000 individuals daily, but now all have closed their doors. A fears-driven volunteer, wishing to remain anonymous, said, “Women and children are being turned away and we can’t promise them when we can feed them again.”
Since the onset of conflict in April 2023 between the regular army and paramilitary forces, Sudan faces a humanitarian catastrophe. The ongoing war has caused over 12 million people to displace and has led five regions to experience famine, complicating the already severe food insecurity affecting nearly 25 million citizens.
“The impact of the decision to withdraw funding in this abrupt manner has life-ending consequences,” said Javid Abdelmoneim of Doctors Without Borders, underscoring that humanitarian workers are responding to a crisis exacerbated by a breakdown in aid and healthcare systems. The complexities of violence, hunger, and international neglect compound the suffering.
Though Trump’s administration has issued waivers for humanitarian assistance, these have yet to produce significant changes on the ground. Aid workers reported halted operations across food, health, and shelter services due to USAID staff being put on leave, leading to despair among the local population dependent on these resources.
The suspension of U.S. aid has plunged Sudan into a deeper humanitarian crisis, leading to an urgent need for international support. Many communities dependent on U.S. funding for survival are in crisis as soup kitchens are forced to close, leaving millions at risk of famine. With ongoing warfare and lack of resources, the situation is dire and calls for immediate action to prevent mass starvation and further suffering.
Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com
