Berlin hosts Sudan conference amid brutal, forgotten war

Sudan’s conflict has persisted for three years without respite, and a truce remains out of reach. A Berlin donor meeting, convening this week, seeks to ease the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. The crisis has escalated into the worst humanitarian disaster globally, yet it has received scant international attention. Rival military groups continue their violent clashes, resulting in over 150,000 fatalities. Approximately twelve million Sudanese have become refugees, nearly a quarter of the nation’s population. Meanwhile, over 33 million citizens—two-thirds of the total—rely on aid for survival.

Global Attention and Financial Pledges

The Berlin conference centers on the plight of Sudan’s people, with representatives from the EU, UK, US, and African Union gathering at the Federal Foreign Office. Their objective is to secure additional resources to sustain the population and ensure the conflict remains a priority amid other global emergencies. A year ago, similar efforts in London and Paris yielded no concrete outcomes, prompting this event to emphasize financial commitments for the starving.

“Over 20 million people there are currently facing starvation,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a meeting with Djibouti’s diplomat and African Union chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. “That is nearly half the country’s population. Germany, as a major humanitarian aid provider, supports all initiatives by the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt to achieve a ceasefire.”

Despite the call for peace, Merz acknowledges the slim likelihood of a ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Neither faction has sent delegates to Berlin, underscoring the lack of direct engagement. In 2024, donor nations collectively contributed $2.07 billion to aid Sudan, but this dropped to $1.77 billion in 2025, covering only about 40% of required support. The decline is attributed to Trump’s aid cuts and Western nations shifting focus to Iran and Ukraine.

Germany’s Commitment and Women’s Role

German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan announced plans to boost aid by €20 million, targeting vulnerable women. In a pre-conference statement, she emphasized: “As men are displaced by the war, women shoulder family responsibilities. Germany’s development efforts support Sudanese citizens and refugees in neighboring host communities, aiming to build a peaceful future.”

“When the world is preoccupied with Iran and Ukraine, it’s vital that Germany brings Sudan’s crisis to the forefront,” remarked Ali Youssouf. “This ensures the suffering of Sudanese people remains visible.”

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the use of rape as a weapon of war, describing it as occurring “on an industrial scale.” The UK pledged €168 million for 2026, joining other nations in reinforcing aid. With Sudan’s situation worsening, experts warn the conflict could spill into Chad. Conditions within the country are dire, and the conference aims to prevent further neglect of this unfolding tragedy.