U.S. boosts aid to Sudan, sanctions paramilitary commander

Sudanese refugees settle temporarily in the town of Adré in Chad along the border of Sudan. Thousands have fled the fighting in Sudan seeking safety in Chad.

HJ Mai/NPR

ADRE, Chad — The United States has introduced sanctions against the deputy leader of the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur — the paramilitary group currently fighting the Sudanese armed forces — over human rights abuses. It has also announced more than $160 million in additional humanitarian aid to help people in Sudan

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement on Wednesday during a trip to Chad’s border with Sudan. The ambassador met with Sudanese refugees at a camp in the town of Adré, located along the Chad-Sudan border, as part of a four-day trip to Africa.

More than 5 million people have been displaced by the fighting in Sudan, according to the United Nations’ migration agency. The UNHCR also estimates that more than $1bn is needed to help refugees escape violence into neighboring countries.

Recently, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has facilitated convoys to reach both North and South Darfur in the first cross-line access to these areas since the war began in mid-April.

“I am immensely grateful to the government of Chad, local communities, and [non-governmental organization] workers for welcoming these refugees — and for all they are doing to support the Sudanese people,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “But despite their heroic efforts, we know so many refugees are still in need of food, water, health care, and other essentials.”

There are an estimated 200,000…