As Sudan’s humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, international donors at a recent aid conference in Berlin pledged more than £1 billion in funding, exceeding the target set by organisers in an effort to ease what the United Nations has described as one of the world’s largest humanitarian disasters.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the outcome was a rare positive development at a time of shrinking global humanitarian resources, and expressed gratitude to donor countries. However, he also stressed that financial assistance cannot replace peace itself.
Sudan is currently engulfed in a civil war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has lasted nearly three years. The fighting has caused massive civilian casualties and widespread displacement, with around two-thirds of the population—approximately 34 million people—requiring humanitarian assistance. Yet only around 16% of this year’s humanitarian funding needs have been met, leaving a significant shortfall. The UN has also warned of ongoing allegations of serious crimes, including sexual violence against women and girls and widespread destruction of communities.
Despite increased funding pledges, prospects for peace remain distant. Neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF sent representatives to the Berlin conference, and ceasefire negotiations have seen no meaningful progress. Sudan’s foreign ministry also criticised Western countries for failing to consult it, accusing the meeting of reflecting a “colonial approach to governance.”
Commentary:
Although the Berlin conference successfully secured over £1 billion in aid, offering a temporary reprieve to Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, funding alone cannot resolve the underlying conflict. The absence of both warring parties from the talks highlights a lack of political will to negotiate or find a solution at this stage.
As long as fighting continues, weapons keep flowing, and external actors persist in supporting rival sides, international aid will merely prolong the crisis rather than end it. Humanitarian assistance is essential, but without political commitment and a functioning ceasefire mechanism, the situation is likely to deteriorate further in cycles of repeated conflict.