Germany hosted an international donor conference in Berlin on Wednesday to raise aid for people affected by the three-year war in Sudan. The meeting coincided with the conflict’s third anniversary, which began when fighting erupted between the Sudanese army led by Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had hoped to exceed $1 billion (about €850 million) and later announced that donors had pledged €1.3 billion (roughly $1.53 billion) — more than was secured at last year’s London conference. Wadephul said the crisis in Sudan must not be forgotten and framed additional aid as a way to reduce forced displacement, not only as a moral duty. Germany itself pledged a further €212 million for humanitarian assistance and will free up an extra €20 million on top of €155.4 million earmarked for Sudan late last year.
Other significant pledges included 146 million pounds (about €168 million) from the UK and €42 million from Norway. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper urged a coordinated international effort to halt arms flows into Sudan and to press for an urgent ceasefire, saying pressure must be applied to end the fighting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined by video, warning that the conflict’s effects go beyond Sudan and threaten regional stability. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the anniversary marks another year in which the world has failed the people of Sudan.
Human toll after three years of war remains high:
– At least 59,000 people killed, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED); the real figure may be higher.
– Around 4,300 children believed among the dead, according to UNICEF.
– Some 19 million people face acute hunger, the World Food Programme reports.
– About 9 million people are internally displaced, and roughly 4.5 million have fled to neighboring countries.
– Some 217 health facilities have been verified as targeted in attacks, per the World Health Organization.
The conflict traces back to the 2019 ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, after which a hoped-for political transition collapsed into a power struggle between Burhan and Dagalo, who had been his deputy. Sudan is effectively split: the military controls much of the north, east and central regions — including Red Sea ports and oil facilities — while the RSF dominates Darfur and parts of Kordofan in the west and south.
The war has international dimensions linked to Sudan’s oil fields and gold mines. Egypt has provided support to the military, and mounting evidence points to backing for the RSF from the United Arab Emirates, which denies involvement. Millions are trapped in the conflict and there have been widespread reports of sexual violence, especially in Darfur, where the RSF has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Donor commitments in Berlin are intended to meet urgent humanitarian needs, but aid agencies and officials stressed that stopping the fighting, sustaining political pressure and preventing further arms flows are essential to avoid deeper regional destabilization and to protect civilians in the longer term.