Category: Humanitarian

The Germany Government and European Union have pledged separately about 200 million Euros to Sudan and neighboring countries, including South Sudan to support the humanitarian needs due to the conflict in Sudan.

In a press statement by the Germany Embassy in Juba, the country’s Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Katja Keul made this commitment on Monday.

This was during a pledging conference co-hosted by Germany alongside UN-OCHA, the African Union, the European Union, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which raised a total of about US$1.5 billion for Sudan and the region.

She also expressed her appreciation to neighboring countries for welcoming people who escaped violence in Sudan.

“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 Keul.

The Minister of State Keul is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Sudan and its impact on civilians, stressing that “The hostilities must end immediately.”

Ms. Keul called on the warring parties to the conflict to engage in meaningful talks about a sustainable ceasefire without further delay.

“Humanitarian access must be ensured. Humanitarian workers must be able to provide life-saving assistance without fearing for their own lives.”

She acknowledged the impact the conflict has on neighboring countries, including South Sudan for opening their borders to people fleeing conflict in Sudan.

“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 neighboring countries have to be established and borders must remain open,’ she added

Meanwhile, the European Union Commission pledged a total of €190 million in additional humanitarian and development assistance to Sudan and the region.

Out of the total new EU aid package, €8 million is dedicated to supporting Sudan’s neighbors to deal with the arrival of those fleeing Sudan.

In addition, €130 million in EU development cooperation will support food security, resilience and health for the most vulnerable people.

According to the German government, it is ‘the second-largest donor of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan and largest donor to both the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, which also pledged to provide US$65 million to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Sudan and neighboring countries.’

Germany also supports the peace process and the long-term development of South Sudan, primarily in the fields of local governance, rural development, sustainable agriculture, gender equality, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.