More than £1bn pledged for Sudan humanitarian aid as ceasefire hopes fade

What happened

The Guardian reports that more than £1bn (€1.15bn) has been pledged at a Berlin donors’ conference to address Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis, surpassing the £740m target set by German hosts. The funding promises aim to fill a critical shortfall in humanitarian aid for a country where approximately 34 million people, two-thirds of the population, require assistance amid three years of conflict.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. Despite these financial commitments, the prospects for a ceasefire remain bleak. Neither the Sudanese Armed Forces nor the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attended the conference, reflecting deep divisions and no reported progress in peace talks. Sudan’s army-aligned foreign ministry criticized the conference, accusing Western countries of a “colonial tutelage approach”, while protests outside Germany’s foreign ministry voiced anger at UAE support for the RSF, a claim denied by the UAE.

International diplomatic efforts led by the so-called Quad—comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE—have so far failed to secure meaningful progress towards a truce or ceasefire, according to the source. The US emphasized a focus on securing a humanitarian truce to enable aid delivery, while underscoring no intention to take sides in the conflict.

Known from the source

• More than £1bn (€1.15bn) pledged for Sudan humanitarian aid at Berlin conference.
• Funding target set by Germany was £740m; pledges exceeded this amount.
• Approximately two-thirds of Sudan's 34 million population need humanitarian assistance.
• Neither Sudan’s Armed Forces nor RSF attended the Berlin conference.
• Sudan’s army-aligned foreign ministry criticized the conference for lack of consultation.

What remains unclear

UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the ongoing humanitarian devastation, citing credible allegations of grave international crimes including systematic sexual violence and terrorizing of civilians. He urged an immediate end to hostilities and the cessation of arms flows that fuel the conflict. Meanwhile, the UK called for international efforts to halt arms supplies to the warring factions without naming specific supporting states.

What remains unclear: Verification of the exact amount pledged at the conference from an official donors’ or government release. Confirmation of absence or participation of Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF representatives in the Berlin conference from event records. Verification of claims related to UAE’s support for RSF and statements denying it. Current status and progress of ceasefire or truce talks involving Sudanese parties and the Quad.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The Guardian Sudan. Open the source.