Opening Remarks by Commissioner Lahbib at the Sudan Conference in Berlin

Opening Remarks by Commissioner Lahbib at the Sudan Conference in Berlin

It is an honour for the European Union to co-host this conference. As we enter the fourth year of this devastating war, our thoughts are with the people of Sudan, those forced to flee, and those who continue to suffer.

Today many crises are competing for our attention. But let me be clear: Sudan remains a top priority for the European Union.

Over 33 million people in Sudan need assistance, a staggering number. Sudan now tops every crisis ranking: the largest humanitarian crisis; the largest displacement crisis; and one of the worst hunger crises in the world. It is also one of the deadliest conflicts with estimates ranging from 50,000 to over 150,000 people killed.

This is also a gender emergency. As one partner recently told me: “the war in Sudan has the face of a woman”. Being a woman should not mean being a target, yet women and girls face extreme risks. Sexual violence is widespread and rape is used as a weapon of war. They are hit hardest by hunger and most at risk when displaced.

Sudan is also a protection crisis. Both parties continue to harm civilians and violate International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law.

In Sudan, war is not just fought on battlefields. It is fought on streets and in homes against civilians. We were all shocked by the horrors in El Fasher, but it was not the first time. Remember Zamzam. Remember Geneina.

We have a collective responsibility to make sure this never happens again. But while we push for accountability, we cannot ignore what is happening now. Siege tactics in El Fasher, Dilling, and Kadugli. Drones and rockets hitting food trucks and warehouses.

Drones are changing the face of this war. In the past three years, more than 2,000 people have been killed in attacks on health facilities. The latest tragedy is a drone attack on a teaching hospital in al-Daein in East Darfur, killing over 60 people, including 13 children. We condemn, strongly and clearly, all violence against civilians and all violations of international humanitarian law.

Deliberate attacks on critical infrastructure are devastating lives. This must stop. The European Union has launched an initiative to protect critical infrastructure. The goal is simple: to turn legal obligations under international humanitarian law into concrete action.

We are discussing a draft Memorandum of Understanding with both parties. It makes one thing clear: civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

Let me now turn to the first panel, which I am honoured to chair. It will focus on supporting Sudanese mutual aid. Last month, I convened a Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting in Brussels. It brought together Sudanese and international organisations, donors, EU Member States, and neighbouring countries hosting millions of refugees.

One thing stood out: the strength of Sudanese mutual aid. I heard directly from Sudanese first responders, their courage, their sacrifice. They are not just victims. They are the backbone of the response, the quiet heroes of Sudan. We must support them in every possible way.