Germany has announced a significant pledge of €200 million to Sudan and its neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, in response to the escalating humanitarian needs arising from the conflict in Sudan.
Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Katja Keul, made this commitment during a pledging conference held on Monday.
The conference, co-hosted by Germany alongside UN-OCHA, the African Union, the European Union, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, successfully raised a total of approximately US$1.5 billion to support Sudan and the region.
Expressing deep concern over the ongoing violence in Sudan and its severe impact on civilians, Minister of State Keul emphasized the urgent need to halt hostilities. “The parties involved in the conflict must engage in meaningful discussions to establish a sustainable ceasefire without any further delay,” stated Minister Katja in a released statement.
Minister Katja further highlighted the critical importance of ensuring humanitarian access and the safety of aid workers who provide life-saving assistance. She acknowledged the adverse effects of the conflict on neighbouring countries, particularly South Sudan, and stressed the significance of extending support to nations that have opened their borders to accommodate those fleeing from Sudan.
The Minister expressed gratitude to neighbouring countries for their compassionate reception of individuals escaping the violence in Sudan.
“The conflict threatens stability and livelihoods in the entire region. This is why assistance to vulnerable communities within Sudan and to neighbouring countries must be scaled up. It is the countries in the region that are hosting the majority of the displaced in this crisis. We thank those countries for their hospitality and we will continue to stand by your side in these difficult times. Safe corridors between Sudan and neighbouring countries have to be established and borders must remain open,” the German Federal Foreign Office said in a press statement extended to Radio Tamazuj.
“In this spirit, Germany pledges €200 million of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and the region till 2024, €100 million of which are new commitments yet to be allocated, depending on access and the evolving security situation. This is part of our broader commitment to the region, which also comprises €270 million for resilience building and €3 million stabilization engagement,” said Germany’s minister of State for Federal Foreign Office Katja Keul.
The European Union Commission also demonstrated its solidarity by pledging a total of €190 million in additional humanitarian and development assistance to Sudan and the region. Out of this aid package, €8 million will be dedicated to supporting Sudan’s neighbouring countries in managing the influx of individuals escaping Sudan.
Moreover, €130 million from the EU’s development cooperation funds will be allocated to initiatives aimed at enhancing food security, resilience, and healthcare for the most vulnerable populations.
Germany, having been the second-largest donor of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan last year, and the largest donor to both the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, reaffirmed its commitment to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Sudan and its neighbouring countries. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund pledged to contribute US$65 million towards this cause.
Alongside its humanitarian assistance, Germany continues to support the peace process and the long-term development of South Sudan. Its efforts primarily focus on areas such as local governance, rural development, sustainable agriculture, gender equality, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.