US earmarks $38m in humanitarian aid for Sudan
June 24, 2024 (WASHINGTON) – The United States on Monday announced it is providing $38 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan.
The aid, provided through its aid arm (USAID), include $23 million to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in support of its ongoing assistance to the children of Sudan.
The USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa, Tyler Beckelman announced the funding in conjunction with the Unite with the Children of Sudan event in Nairobi, Kenya.
The event was organized by USAID, UNICEF and Save the Children to specifically highlight the challenges young Sudanese face amid 14 months of war in Sudan.
This announcement reportedly brings the total US government humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people to more than $1.4 billion since October 2022.
The additional support from USAID, according to a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, UNICEF and international nongovernmental organization partners will be able to continue their vital relief efforts in support of the children of Sudan.
Since the start of the conflict in Sudan in mid-April 2023, UNICEF has reportedly screened millions of children ages five years and younger for malnutrition.
With USAID support, UNICEF is also supporting maternal and child health services, including essential vaccination campaigns in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
Since April last year, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly left an estimated 14 million children, more than half of the 24 million children in Sudan, in need of humanitarian assistance, including nearly 4 million estimated to face acute malnutrition in 2024.
Aid agencies have underscored the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance, amid concerns that Khartoum and parts of the Darfur region are experiencing famine-like conditions with increasing risk of famine in the lean season.
Also, obstruction by the SAF and RSF is preventing humanitarians from reaching Sudanese in desperate need of food, medicine, among other needs.
Pledging its continuous support for the people of Sudan, the US urged parties to the conflict to immediately and permanently cease hostilities, end their interference in humanitarian operations, and facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian staff and supplies to reach populations in need across borders and across lines of conflict.
(ST)