‘This Is Life and Death’: Trump’s USAID Shakeup Threatens Millions in Sudan

The Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds: Trump’s Decision to Dismantle USAID and Its Devastating Impact on Sudan

The decision by former President Donald Trump to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has spiraled into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, a country already shattered by nearly two years of relentless civil war. The abrupt withdrawal of USAID funding has left millions of people on the brink of starvation and exacerbated the ongoing violence in the region. Aid workers and experts warn that at least 2 million people are in immediate danger, with many more at risk as food supplies dwindle and the conflict escalates. The consequences of this decision are a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of political choices on the world’s most vulnerable populations.

A Lifeline Disappears Overnight: The Collapse of Humanitarian Aid in Sudan

Before the USAID funding freeze, a vast network of community kitchens, supported by USAID, fed millions of displaced people across Sudan, a nation where half of its 50 million citizens are in dire need of food aid. These kitchens, operated by grassroots organizations like the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), were a lifeline for communities ravaged by war and famine. However, the sudden halt in funding has forced over 80 percent of these kitchens to close, leaving millions without access to food. Abuzar Osman Suliman, coordinator of the ERRs, revealed that in the capital city of Khartoum alone, more than 95 percent of the 7,000 communal kitchens have ceased operations. "It cost $10,000 for a single kitchen in Darfur to feed 250 families for two weeks," Suliman explained. "Now, people are left with nothing."

The situation is particularly dire in displacement camps like Zamzam IDP Camp, home to nearly a million displaced people, where food distribution has all but collapsed. Hunger is forcing people to make impossible choices: stay and risk starvation or flee through dangerous territories controlled by armed groups, where they face violence, robbery, and potential death. Avril Benoît, executive director of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) USA, described the crisis as a matter of life and death. "If we don’t act now, entire communities will be devastated by famine before the world even takes notice," she warned. "And ‘famine’ isn’t just a word we use lightly."

Starvation as a Weapon of War: The Exploitation of Food Scarcity in Sudan

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is further compounded by the weaponization of food scarcity in conflict zones. In regions like Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and the Blue Nile, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of genocide by Washington, are using starvation as a tactic against civilians. The RSF, in particular, has shown no regard for international law or human rights, according to Benoît. "They are a ruthless force that is now also a vengeful force, seeking revenge for their losses," she said.

In Zamzam IDP Camp, hunger is forcing people to make impossible choices. Many arrive with virtually nothing after being forcibly displaced by the RSF, while humanitarian supplies are piling up in Adré, a city near the Sudan-Chad border, unable to reach those in need. Food is simply sitting there, rotting, as the conflict rages on. The collapse of Sudan’s medical infrastructure adds another layer of urgency, with few international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in areas where the conflict has subsided. The emergency response rooms, which rely heavily on international aid, are now being stretched to the breaking point.

A Looming Security Crisis: The Broader Consequences of USAID’s Withdrawal

While humanitarian groups scramble to respond to the crisis, security analysts warn that the USAID shutdown has deeper consequences that could have far-reaching implications for global security. Sudan’s strategic location at the center of Africa, bordering unstable regions like Chad, Libya, and Egypt, makes it a fertile ground for extremist groups looking to expand their influence. By cutting off aid, the U.S. is effectively pushing more young men into the arms of militant groups, according to Sudan expert and professor emeritus at Smith College, Eric Reeves. "This is exactly how extremist movements recruit—they thrive in places where there is no functioning government, no aid, and no hope," he said.

The Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda affiliates have already issued statements celebrating Sudan’s deepening crisis, seeing it as an opportunity for expansion. The RSF, already one of the most brutal fighting forces in the region, is absorbing new recruits at an alarming rate. Young men with no food, no education, and no future become prime targets for radicalization. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the security implications for the region and the world cannot be ignored. "When people have no other options, they turn to armed groups," said Andrea Tracy, a former USAID official who now works with the aid group Proximity 2 Humanity. The collapse of aid in Sudan is not just a humanitarian emergency; it is a security crisis in the making.

A Nation Left to Fend for Itself: The Search for Alternative Solutions

In the absence of USAID, Sudanese aid workers are turning to private donors and international NGOs to keep some baseline level of aid flowing. According to Suliman, a surge of grassroots donations—particularly from the U.S.—has provided some relief. "Seventy percent of the $1 million in emergency donations we’ve received has come from American individuals," he said. "Regular people who care, even when their government doesn’t." However, the scale of the crisis far exceeds what local efforts can handle. Aid groups estimate that if the USAID freeze is not reversed, Sudan could experience a full-scale famine within months.

For those on the ground, the suffering is already overwhelming. "This is life and death," Benoît said. "If we don’t act now, the famine will consume entire communities before the world even notices." The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is a stark reminder of the consequences of political decisions made far from the battlefield. As the international community grapples with the fallout of Trump’s decision to dismantle USAID, the people of Sudan are left to fend for themselves, their survival hanging precariously in the balance.

Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Action

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is a clarion call for immediate action. The dismantling of USAID has not only stripped millions of their lifeline but has also plunged the region into a deeper abyss of conflict and despair. The international community must step in to fill the gap left by USAID’s withdrawal, providing urgent aid to prevent a full-scale famine and addressing the root causes of the conflict. Without swift and decisive action, the consequences of this crisis will reverberate for years to come, not only in Sudan but across the globe. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions in Sudan. The time to act is now.