Paris, France
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR ISOBEL COLEMAN: Esteemed colleagues, today marks the one year anniversary of this horrific conflict. While the world has anchored its attention on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the people of Sudan continue to suffer from one of the world’s gravest crises, as other speakers have shared.
The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the Sudan response. And today, I am announcing that USAID will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance. This new tranche of funding – along with the March 2024 announcement from the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of more than $47 million – brings the U.S. total funding to more than $1 billion since the start of the conflict, to provide emergency food assistance, health care, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services for millions in Sudan and displaced populations in neighboring countries.
But to truly meet the scale of the need we need others – partner governments, development banks, the private sector – to increase their contributions as well, especially to local groups. Sudanese civilian groups – particularly the local responder networks – have stepped up to serve as a critical piece of the humanitarian effort, assisting their fellow citizens in their hour of greatest need.
USAID recognizes the heroic contributions of local volunteers, front-line responders, civil society, Emergency Response Rooms, and mutual aid groups. The ability of Sudanese youth, women's groups, and civil society to respond during such a time of crisis is not only saving lives, but presenting hope and vision for a better Sudan.
To support these fundamentally important and life-saving Sudanese-led initiatives, USAID is dedicating $15 million to enhanced localization efforts in Sudan. We urge other partners to increase their direct support to the local heroes on the frontlines.
All parties to the conflict continue to fail to live up to their commitment to facilitate increased humanitarian assistance. We need the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to permanently rescind its decision to block aid from moving through the essential Adre border crossing so this life-saving assistance can actually reach people in need, particularly in western Sudan.
The United States is gravely concerned by recent reports of escalating conflict in El Fasher, which will further exacerbate what is already a humanitarian catastrophe.
We call on all parties involved – the RSF [Rapid Support Forces], the SAF, allied fighters, and any other armed groups – to adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The parties must not violate the protection of civilians and the safety of humanitarian workers, and must cease any looting of aid supplies.
We urge the SAF and the RSF to put the Sudanese people first, silence the guns, and seek a negotiated end to this senseless war.
I further call on the international humanitarian community to increase high level advocacy efforts to enable unhindered humanitarian access and achieve an immediate ceasefire. We are hopeful that our recently appointed U.S. Special Envoy [Tom] Perriello and UN Special Envoy [Ramtane] Lamamra will contribute to these efforts in partnership with the people of Sudan – who need a durable and peaceful solution to the conflict. Thank you.