Sudan: EU and UK Commit Millions in Support During London Conference

Diplomats convened to coordinate humanitarian assistance and explore ways to curb the violence and suffering in Sudan, now in its second year of civil conflict. A woman walks hand in hand with her daughter at the Zam Zam refugee camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in North Darfur, Sudan.

The ongoing civil war has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis, displacing approximately 13 million individuals into refugee camps and neighboring nations. On Tuesday, the European Union and the United Kingdom committed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to alleviate the hardships faced in Sudan, coinciding with the second anniversary of the civil war. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, left 14 million people displaced, and plunged significant portions of the nation into famine since the beginning of 2023.

High-ranking diplomats and aid officials from the UK, Germany, France, the European Union, and the African Union gathered for a one-day conference in London, where they called for an immediate halt to hostilities. The EU and its member states announced a pledge of €522 million ($590 million) for humanitarian assistance in 2025. What Did the Diplomats Say?: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed at the conference that "no amount of humanitarian assistance will be adequate if the war persists." The United Kingdom revealed a commitment of £120 million (€141 million) in funding for the upcoming year to provide food aid for 650,000 individuals in Sudan as the conflict exacerbates widespread famine.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy recognized that achieving peace would require time, renewed global efforts, and "patient diplomacy." He noted that many have lost hope in Sudan, believing continued conflict to be inevitable. He identified the lack of political will as the primary barrier to peace, stating, "We must persuade the warring factions to protect civilians, allow aid to reach those in need throughout the country, and prioritize peace." Attendees at the conference included officials from Western countries, international institutions, and Sudan's neighboring states, but no representatives from Sudan were present. Background of the Civil War in Sudan: Sudan's civil war ignited on April 15, 2023, in Khartoum and has since spread across the nation, creating a severe humanitarian crisis in Africa's third-largest country. The conflict arose from a power struggle between Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The two leaders had previously shared power following a military coup in 2021 that ousted the transitional government established after the 2019 removal of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir. Tensions between them escalated, leading to the conflict. The State of the Conflict: The RSF, which originated in Darfur, controls much of the region and parts of southern Sudan. The army recently regained control of Khartoum, exerting influence in the east and north, effectively dividing the nation. Both factions have faced accusations of war crimes. Humanitarian Crisis and International Response: Dallia Abdelmoneim, a Sudanese political commentator who fled the violence, described the civil war as "the largest and worst humanitarian crisis" in the world. She asserted that "the longer this conflict endures, the more dire the circumstances become, particularly for civilians," adding that "very little is being done to end this war or even achieve a ceasefire." The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, stated that two years of "devastating war" in Sudan has left civilians "trapped in a relentless nightmare of death and destruction." She called on all involved parties to "take concrete measures" to safeguard civilians. Before the conference, Baerbock announced a commitment of €125 million ($142 million) in humanitarian aid to enable international and local organizations to provide urgently needed food and medical assistance to those in need. She referred to the conflict as "the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time." Bankole Adeoye, the African Union's commissioner for political affairs, emphasized the importance of valuing every voice and involving all stakeholders in the pursuit of a prosperous Sudan. While it is estimated that at least 20,000 people have lost their lives, the real death toll may be significantly higher.

Sexual violence remains widespread, endangering approximately 12 million women and girls of gender-based violence. Additionally, the civil war has caused the world's largest displacement crisis, with around 13 million individuals displaced into refugee camps and surrounding countries. The World Food Program warns that nearly 25 million people—about half of Sudan's population—face extreme hunger. There are growing concerns that the conflict could spill over Sudan's borders, exacerbating tensions and instability throughout the entire region.