The United States has welcomed the resumption of humanitarian assistance deliveries through the Adré border crossing from Chad into Sudan and related diplomatic efforts to reopen emergency aid routes to famine-stricken areas of Darfur via the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan. The lack of humanitarian aid access into Darfur over the past six months has worsened famine and acute hunger levels across Sudan, particularly within Zamzam camp.
This development follows talks in Switzerland with the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group, which includes the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, the African Union, and the UN. The ALPS Group engaged in discussions with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces to increase access to lifesaving humanitarian assistance for millions of Sudanese. As a result, guarantees were secured from both parties for safe access through Adré crossing and Dabbah Road, potentially allowing aid deliveries to nearly one million people facing starvation. Negotiations continue to ensure humanitarian access from Port Sudan to southern regions including al-Jazira State and Sennar State.
These three routes are expected to significantly enhance humanitarian access to parts of Sudan that have been difficult to reach. Over 25 million people face acute hunger in Sudan, with more than 10 million displaced from their homes. Famine persists in parts of Darfur. It is essential for the international community to use all available means to increase relief flow into and within Sudan.
The United States also acknowledged commitments by RSF at the Switzerland talks this month to refrain from attacking humanitarian aid deliveries and streamline procedures for emergency food and medicine access. Additionally, RSF committed to a code of conduct prohibiting violence against women, exploitation at checkpoints, crop destruction, and adhering to Jeddah Declaration commitments and international humanitarian law. These commitments must be reflected in RSF troops' actions on the ground amid ongoing ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity since war broke out against Sudanese civilians.
"There is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan," stated Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. "The United States remains committed to working with our international partners to engage both parties on the need for direct talks and an end to violence."
