Wed Sep 25 04:45:12 UTC 2024: ## US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Do More for Sudan Amid Humanitarian Crisis
**Washington, D.C.** – Fifty Democratic members of Congress have sent a letter to President Biden requesting increased humanitarian assistance for Sudan and urging the U.S. to take a more active role in ending the ongoing conflict. Led by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), the lawmakers express deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, with famine and widespread deaths reported daily.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, in an interview with VOA, voiced her frustration that international partners are not doing enough to support humanitarian aid delivery to families affected by the conflict. She claims that warring parties are actively hindering aid efforts, calling the situation “unconscionable” and “inhumane.”
She also expressed concern that Sudan’s crisis is being overshadowed by other conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Rep. Kamlager-Dove argued that the U.S. must take the lead in addressing the situation, calling for increased aid, diplomatic engagement, and pressure on those supplying arms to the warring factions.
The letter comes amidst a growing sense of urgency among aid organizations, with reports of famine in Darfur and a severe shortage of funds to meet the needs of the Sudanese people. The UN had appealed for $2.7 billion in humanitarian aid, but only 37% of that amount has been received.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove emphasized the need for both increased financial contributions and a more assertive diplomatic approach to ensure that aid reaches those in desperate need. She also stressed the importance of holding those responsible for the conflict accountable, arguing that simply imposing sanctions on the warring factions is not enough.
The U.S. has appointed a special envoy to Sudan, former Rep. Tom Perriello, but Rep. Kamlager-Dove believes he needs more resources and staff to be effective. She also called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to show more visible leadership on the continent.
The call for increased action comes as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The U.S. and its international partners must act decisively to prevent a further escalation of the conflict and ensure that aid reaches those in need.
First Piper 