US Aid Cut Forces Closure of Sudan's Emergency Food Kitchens, Leaving Millions at Risk
The suspension of U.S. humanitarian assistance has led to the shutdown of nearly 80% of emergency food kitchens in Sudan, worsening the plight of millions affected by the country's ongoing civil war, the BBC has learned.
Widespread Hunger as Food Kitchens Close
Aid volunteers report that President Donald Trump's executive order, which halted USAID contributions for 90 days, has caused the closure of over 1,100 communal kitchens. These kitchens were a lifeline for nearly two million Sudanese struggling to survive. The civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and looming famine.
Emergency Response Network Struggles to Cope
The grassroots emergency response rooms, operated by dedicated volunteers, have been vital in providing food aid. However, the sudden loss of U.S. funding has left them overwhelmed. "People are knocking on volunteers' doors," says Duaa Tariq, an emergency room organizer. "People are screaming from hunger in the streets."
Although the State Department has granted exemptions for emergency food assistance, confusion persists over whether cash assistance—which these kitchens heavily relied on—will be reinstated. With USAID contributing 70-80% of flexible cash programs, the impact of the funding cut has been devastating.
A Critical Blow to Famine Relief Efforts
In the early stages of the war, communal kitchens operated on local and diaspora donations before receiving international funding, including from USAID. The funding model had been groundbreaking, allowing direct support to grassroots groups rather than relying solely on traditional aid channels like the UN.
Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official who has since founded the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition to raise private donations, calls the funding cut a "huge setback." She notes that while private contributions will try to fill the gap, "even if humanitarian assistance resumes, it’s never going to be what it was."
Khartoum Faces Starvation Amid Military Conflict
In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, emergency kitchens have closed due to a lack of supplies. The situation worsened when RSF forces looted markets before retreating, leaving residents with no food. Some kitchen operators are now relying on credit from local fishermen and farmers, but as Tariq warns, "We expect to see a lot of people starving."
US Policy Shift Creates Uncertainty for Aid Organizations
Despite reassurances from the U.S. government that the aid freeze aims to "restructure assistance" rather than end it, uncertainty remains. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has received waivers for its existing grants but is uncertain about future funding.
In 2024, the U.S. was Sudan's largest donor, supporting both direct aid and the UN’s Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan. UN officials warn that the policy shift will have far-reaching effects, extending beyond Sudan's borders. Over two million Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries, further straining limited resources.
Hunger Crisis Deepens in Refugee Camps
The worsening hunger crisis is evident in refugee camps across South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt. Rania Dagesh, WFP’s assistant executive director, describes scenes of severe malnutrition: "You see children and mothers wasting away. Mothers trying to breastfeed, but there is nothing."
The crisis is particularly dire in South Sudan, where an influx of one million refugees has stretched resources to their limit. With 60% of South Sudan's population already in emergency hunger, refugees receive only one meal a day—if that.
Aid Agencies Struggle to Meet Demand
With limited resources, aid agencies are being forced to make difficult choices. "We have to rationalize, rationalize, rationalize," says Mamadou Dian Balde, the UNHCR’s regional bureau director.
Funding shortages have already led to drastic cuts. Last year, UNHCR’s donor appeal secured only 30% of the needed funds, forcing reductions in food, water, and other essential services for refugees. The additional burden from Sudanese refugees is stretching these resources even further.
A Growing Refugee Crisis
With Sudan’s hunger crisis worsening and aid organizations unable to keep up, some refugees are looking beyond neighboring countries for safety. Many are risking dangerous journeys to the Gulf, Europe, and beyond.
For those remaining in Sudan, hope for a return to normalcy is fading. The war has displaced countless families, destroyed agricultural livelihoods, and left millions with nothing. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the closure of emergency kitchens only pushes more people toward starvation or displacement. Without urgent intervention, the world's largest hunger crisis is set to escalate even further.
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