French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement on Monday heralded the successful culmination of a high-level conference convened in Paris. At the conference, pledges exceeding €2 billion ($2.1 billion) were gathered to address the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. This achievement underscores the international community’s collective commitment to providing essential aid and relief to the Sudanese population amidst escalating crises.
The conference, attended by prominent diplomats from France, Germany, and the European Union, saw the participation of key figures, including French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell, and Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic. Notably, representatives from Sudan’s civil society also played a pivotal role in the discussions, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of affected communities were heard and considered.
President Macron emphasized the critical importance of mobilized funds in addressing the urgent needs of Sudan’s population, particularly in light of the looming threat of famine and the severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The pledges made during the conference signal a significant step forward in providing much-needed assistance and support to those most affected by conflict, displacement, and food insecurity in Sudan.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed Macron’s concerns, highlighting the alarming reports of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Sudan. He underscored the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and called for concerted international action to protect civilians and alleviate their suffering.
During the conference, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pledged an additional €244 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan, emphasizing the need for collective action to avert a looming hunger catastrophe in the region. Despite the substantial pledges, the UN’s humanitarian office, OCHA, reported that only a fraction of the required funds had been secured. This shortfall underscores the ongoing challenge of adequately addressing the complex crisis in Sudan. It highlights the imperative for sustained international support and collaboration to respond to the needs of the Sudanese people effectively.