Sudan is experiencing heavy fighting between the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has been going on for eight days and has caused a humanitarian crisis, killing hundreds of people and trapping millions without access to basic services. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed a team of disaster response experts to Sudan to coordinate humanitarian aid. The experts will work with the international community to identify priority needs and safely deliver assistance.
USAID head Samantha Power has called on both parties to abide by a ceasefire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, end the fighting, and comply with international humanitarian law to enable safe and unhindered access for humanitarian and medical workers. The United States has evacuated government personnel from its embassy in Khartoum and temporarily suspended operations due to security risks.
Sudan’s collapse into warfare has dashed plans to restore civilian rule and threatens a wider conflict that could draw in outside powers. One-third of Sudan’s population, nearly 16 million people, already needed humanitarian assistance before the outbreak of violence. The United States is mobilizing to ramp up assistance to the people of Sudan ensnared between the warring factions.
