US announces $424 million in new aid for Sudan at UN meeting
On September 25, the United States unveiled $424 million in new aid for Sudanese displaced by war and facing severe hunger; the announcement came during a high-level meeting at the United Nations addressing the country’s ongoing conflict, as reported by AFP through Arab News.
Sudan descended into a destructive conflict last year as the national army clashed with the RSF.
According to the US mission to the UN, this aid package includes $175 million dedicated to purchasing surplus food from American farmers, which will be distributed to those in Sudan and surrounding regions. A UN-backed assessment has already raised alarms about the potential for widespread famine in the area.
Read: Biden calls for talks to end Sudan’s war
The World Health Organization reported this month that at least 20,000 people have died. However, US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, indicated the actual toll could be much higher, possibly reaching 150,000.
During the event, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, renewed calls for unhindered access to deliver aid to El-Fasher, a city under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the paramilitary group seeks control of Darfur’s western region.
“We must compel the warring parties to accept humanitarian pauses in El-Fasher, Khartoum and other highly vulnerable areas, eliminate barriers to humanitarian access along all routes, and put down their weapons and come to the negotiating table,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
AFP
