Antony Blinken Pledges $230 Million in Aid for War-Torn Sudan
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced a $230 million aid package for Sudan during his final visit to the United Nations. The package allocates $200 million for humanitarian relief and $30 million to support Sudan’s democratic transition amid the country’s devastating civil war. With this commitment, total U.S. assistance to Sudan has now exceeded $2.3 billion since the conflict began.
Sudan descended into civil war in 2023 as violence erupted between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group rooted in the Janjaweed militia of Darfur. The rivalry between military and paramilitary leaders has led to widespread violence, claiming an estimated 24,000 lives and displacing millions. Clashes continue in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions, with aid groups calling for more global attention to the crisis.
Blinken’s announcement coincided with his presiding over two significant U.N. meetings, including a session on artificial intelligence and a discussion on Sudan’s crisis. He emphasized the need for international focus on Sudan, where the conflict has been overshadowed by wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The aid package is part of broader efforts to alleviate suffering in Sudan and foster a path toward peace and democracy. However, challenges remain as humanitarian organizations grapple with limited resources and escalating violence across the nation.