The United States 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 funding, the United States has provided more than $550 million in humanitarian assistance this fiscal year for Sudan and neighboring countries, including 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.

For this humanitarian assistance to have the greatest possible impact and save countless lives, Sudanese authorities must remove the onerous bureaucratic and security restrictions that are hindering shipments of lifesaving aid. Life-saving supplies are being held at customs and are routed through long, dangerous roads in order to reach communities most in need. Additionally, aid workers are unable to get the visas required to enter the country and to deliver assistance. Saudi Arabia and the United States have continued engaging the parties daily to facilitate humanitarian assistance deliveries. The United States calls on authorities to remove these barriers and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access to save lives and alleviate suffering.

The United States remains the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan, and 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.

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State