Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the One-Year Mark of the Conflict in Sudan

Just five years ago, the people of Sudan were hopeful. Following the ousting of the brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir - a victory owed, in large part to the Sudanese women who led the revolution - the Sudanese people were optimistic about the future of their country.

One year ago today, war broke out when two rival generals sent their armies into battle, setting Sudan on a path of death, destruction, and devastation. These generals are standing in the way of that better future and every day this conflict goes on only brings more pain and suffering to Sudan.

That war has put Sudan on a darker path. Famine looms and there are very few people in Sudan whose lives and livelihoods have gone unscathed.

Nearly 25 million Sudanese people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Three-quarters of them face acute food insecurity. Roughly 8 million people have had to flee their homes, in what has become the world's largest internal displacement crisis.

In response to this crisis, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States is providing an additional $100 million in emergency food assistance, nutrition support, and other life-saving aid to respond to this conflict. This brings the total U.S. contribution to more than $1 billion since the conflict began.

While the United States remains the largest provider of humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan, we cannot meet the tremendous needs alone and call on the international community to join these efforts. We welcome the pledges made toward the Sudan appeal that were announced during today's International Humanitarian Conference in Paris.

Let's all stand with the Sudanese people to help them keep alive the spirit of democracy, freedom, and peace that they have so bravely championed.