The United States has authorized a waiver allowing humanitarian aid to continue flowing to Sudan, even as it reassesses its foreign aid policies. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dorothy Shea announced the decision during a United Nations Security Council briefing on Sudan.
The waiver ensures the delivery of essential assistance, including food, medical supplies, and shelter. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reviewing all U.S. foreign aid programs under President Donald Trump’s executive order, but humanitarian aid to Sudan remains exempt.
The U.S. has been the largest humanitarian donor to Sudan, contributing $800 million in 2023—nearly half of the UN’s response plan funding. Since the start of Fiscal Year 2023, U.S. aid to Sudan has surpassed $2.3 billion. In December 2024, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $200 million for humanitarian relief and $30 million to support Sudanese civil society and democratic governance efforts.
The Security Council meeting, requested by Denmark and the UK, addressed the protection of civilians, disruptions in healthcare, and reports of conflict-related sexual violence, particularly against women and children. Shea reaffirmed U.S. support for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio confirmed that a six-week review of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs had led to the termination of 83% of them. The remaining programs will now be transferred to the State Department for more effective administration.