BY PETER SESAY

In addition to its attempt to help end the new civil war in Sudan  the United States has not relented on its efforts to provide much-needed relief to the tens of thousands or the victims, with the rippling effects on neighboring countries.

The office of Secretary of State Antony Blinken just announced nearly $172 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan and neighboring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. With this, the announcement says, Washington has provided more than $550 million in humanitarian assistance this fiscal year for Sudan and neighboring countries: Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic to respond to the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and people affected by conflict in the region.

The announcement calls on Sudanese authorities “to remove the onerous bureaucratic and security restrictions that are hindering shipments of lifesaving aid,” adding that “Life-saving supplies are being held at customs and are routed through long, dangerous roads in order to reach communities most in need.”

The delivery of the much-needed assistance is also impeded by the fact that aid workers cannot get the visas required to enter the country and to deliver assistance. The announcement points out that the United States and Saudi Arabia have continued engaging the parties to facilitate humanitarian assistance deliveries.

Noting that the United States remains the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan, the office of the U.S. Secretary of State says:

“We will continue our support for vulnerable populations within Sudan and those forced to flee due to conflict. While we seek to identify further ways to help, we continue to believe that a ceasefire and negotiated solution are the best ways to achieve a long-term solution that addresses the causes of this humanitarian crisis.”

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