The international community gathered in Berlin to address the crisis in Sudan, which the United Nations has described as a “nightmare that the world must not ignore.” As the devastating civil war in Sudan enters its fourth year, world leaders and donor nations have pledged a total of €1.3 billion ($1.53 billion) in humanitarian aid, a figure that significantly exceeds the amount raised at last year’s London conference.
Hosted by Germany on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, this summit served as more than just a fundraising platform; it was a diplomatic call to action for a conflict that has been neglected by the global spotlight. The war, which broke out three years ago between the Sudanese army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has completely devastated the country.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who presided over the summit, expressed the final results with a sense of pride and urgency, telling reporters, “This major humanitarian crisis in Africa must not be forgotten.” Germany led the way by allocating an additional €212 million for emergency relief. Wadephul added that this support is not just a “moral obligation,” but a strategic necessity to prevent the collapse of the region and a subsequent migration crisis.
This pledge of financial support comes at a critical moment. While global attention has been consumed by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine over the past year, data emerging from Sudan reveals a harrowing reality: at least 59,000 people are confirmed dead (though the actual number is believed to be much higher), nearly 13.5 million people have been displaced—9 million internally and 4.5 million as refugees in neighboring countries—and only 63% of the nation’s health facilities remain operational.
The summit also addressed the complex geopolitical tensions fueling the destruction. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, who pledged £146 million in support, called for a coordinated international effort to stop the flow of weapons into the region. Stating bluntly that “the international community has failed the people of Sudan,” she urged for immediate pressure to be placed on the warring parties to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The conflict has taken on a global dimension due to interests in Sudan’s gold mines and oil fields. While the Sudanese army receives support from Egypt, the RSF is widely reported to receive backing from the United Arab Emirates—though the UAE continues to deny these claims. In a video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the consequences of the war are “shaking the wider region.”
