The delivery of foreign aid to Sudan has been facing major challenges and obstacles, due to local authorities imposing bureaucratic security restrictions.

The Situation 

After the recent violence between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country is in dire need of basic human assistance, including food, water, shelter and health services. According to Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, more than 6 million people have fled the ongoing civil war and are displaced in Sudan or in neighboring countries. 

This civil war puts Sudan on the verge of a humanitarian disaster and a refugee crisis, with 25 million people in need of assistance and protection. On July 19, 2023, the United Nations (U.N.) sponsored an event raising nearly $1.5 billion from international donors to fund life-saving relief efforts in the region, calling on parties in Sudan to immediately end the fighting.

US Aid to Sudan

In 2023, the United States provided more than $700 million in foreign aid to Sudan and neighboring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing crisis, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.

At a briefing last month, Nkweta-Salami expressed that the country is facing many challenges in receiving foreign aid. Bureaucratic security restrictions have hindered delivering aid and granting visas to humanitarian workers, as well as preventing those seeking safety from fleeing the country. Since early September, Sudanese authorities have banned the transportation of surgical supplies to hospitals in Khartoum, which is under RSF control. As a result, Khartoum citizens cannot receive life-saving treatment and some hospitals have suspended operations. 

The prolonged conflict in Sudan has led to a huge increase of people experiencing food insecurity. More than 20 million people are facing hunger, with 6.3 million being one step away from famine. Additionally, 30% of the Sudanese population is unable to afford local food and the prices of food have increased by nearly 50% since the start of the conflict in April. Many children and pregnant or nursing women suffer from malnutrition, but the conflict has closed 80% of hospitals. 

Aid from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) set up a cash assistance distribution point in Khartoum, utilizing funding from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund to help alleviate the crisis in that region. The cash is usable for non-food items and emergency shelter. The NRC cited this method as “more effective, faster, and easier to control and meet people’s needs.” About 210,300 people have received emergency shelter and non-food items through the U.N. and other humanitarian partners.

The Importance of Humanitarian Aid Access

Nkweta-Salami stressed the importance of improving humanitarian aid access. Thus far, Sudan has received only one-third of the $2.6 billion needed to alleviate the worst of the crisis. “If we don’t act now, Sudan risks becoming a protracted crisis where there is little hope and fewer dreams,” said Nkweta-Salami.

Aside from the $1.5 billion raised in July, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths announced an additional $22 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund. According to the U.N., more than $3 billion are needed to allocate life-saving multisectoral assistance and protection services to the millions of people displaced and seeking refuge. It urges donors to continue contributing to the Humanitarian Response Plan and the Refugee Response Plan. 

Looking Ahead

On the brink of famine, facing nationwide food insecurity and a lack of health services, with millions displaced, Sudan needs foreign aid now more than ever. International agencies can also help by putting pressure on the Sudanese government to lessen the restrictions currently keeping aid from reaching the population.

– Noura Dakka
Photo: Flickr