1 year since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the EU co-hosted today with France and Germany the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries. The aim of the conference was to boost support for people affected by what has become one of the worst humanitarian crises and the largest displacement crisis in the world.
Concretely, the European Commission has committed today €355 million in both humanitarian and development funding for Sudan and its neighbours. Together with the pledge from EU States of €541 million, total EU support to Sudan pledged at the conference amounts to €896 million.
The European Commission’s funding will be channelled via humanitarian organisations to the most vulnerable in need suffering from consequences of the conflict in Sudan itself, but also those who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. EU aid will provide communities with health and nutritional care, food assistance, water and sanitation, shelter, protection, and education to the most vulnerable households – internally displaced, refugee families and host communities.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, stressed: “While other, devastating crises dominate the news from around the world, the suffering in Sudan goes on, away from the public eye. The European Commission, France and Germany are calling on the world to not look away. One year since the war broke out, Sudan is in a state of collapse. With its almost 50 million population it has turned into one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the African continent. It risks the biggest famine in a decade, with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable, not only in Sudan itself but also for refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, international humanitarian law continues to be ignored bluntly, making Sudan also one of the world’s horrific protection emergencies. To achieve any meaningful change, the international community must act together, immediately, to help the people of Sudan by focusing its attention on the suffering of Sudanese, pledging more humanitarian funding and demanding respect for international humanitarian law. The EU will continue to fulfil its share of this globally shared responsibility.”
High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, said: “The one-year conflict in Sudan has created a catastrophic humanitarian situation. With half of the total population of the country at risk of starvation, the window to avoid the worst is quickly closing. This is why today’s Conference is very much needed. With today’s pledge of €896 million, the EU shows its determination to stand by the Sudanese people. Our priority continues to be the implementation of a ceasefire and the passage of humanitarian aid. The principle of accountability must be applied, also through the application of sanctions. We must strengthen coordination, including when it comes to mediation. And we need to continue to support civil society representatives so they can contribute to shape the peace process. The resolution of this conflict must be a priority for the international community, even in a global context marked by multiple crises.”
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “The conflict in Sudan has a devastating impact throughout the region. We must act with urgency and solidarity, provide vital assistance to alleviate the suffering, and pave the way for stability in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. On the development side, the EU is responding by facilitating access to basic services for vulnerable communities affected by conflict and climate change. Today’s conference shows the EU’s commitment to support those affected by this humanitarian crisis.”
Background
Violent armed clashes broke out in Sudan on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This development comes following a prolonged political gridlock after the 2021 military coup. Prior to the outbreak of violence, the political, security and economic instability, combined with a poor harvest, led to the worst humanitarian crisis in a decade. The EU had stepped up its humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable.
Humanitarian needs were already high before April 2023, with 15.8 million people (about a third of the total population) requiring humanitarian assistance, including 11.7 million people facing acute food insecurity. Current estimates now report that 24.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (about half of the population) and 17.7 million acutely food insecure people, a record number in the middle of the harvest season.
Sudan now has the largest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, with over 9 million IDPs.
Neighbouring countries facing their own internal challenges now need to address also the massive influx of arrivals from Sudan in their territories. In total, over 2 million people have fled Sudan towards the neighbouring countries.
