Participants of the International Sudan Conference hosted by Germany have pledged more than 1.3 billion euros in humanitarian aid on Wednesday (April 15), according to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

The war in Sudan entered its fourth year on April 15, overshadowed by other regional and global turmoil, despite having created what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The war pits the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The two men had joined forces in 2019 to overthrow veteran autocrat Omar al-Bashir, after which Burhan became head of state. But having staged a coup that derailed a faltering transition towards civilian rule, they fell out over plans to launch a new transition and integrate their forces.

After war erupted on April 15, 2023, it quickly drew in myriad local militias fighting on either side, as well as foreign powers.

Most prominently, U.N. researchers, U.S. lawmakers, and the Sudanese army say the United Arab Emirates has provided critical support to the RSF via several of Sudan's neighbors, a charge the Gulf power denies.

The Sudanese army counts other regional powers including Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar as supporters to varying extents.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BERLIN, GERMANY (APRIL 15, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PARTICIPANTS SEATED FOR INTERNATIONAL SUDAN CONFERENCE, HOSTED BY GERMANY AT BERLIN’S FOREIGN MINISTRY, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOHANN WADEPHUL HEARD OPENING THE CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, JOHANN WADEPHUL, SAYING:

"Let us join forces so that humanitarian assistance and humanitarian diplomacy can save lives. In this spirit, Germany pledges 212 million euro of our humanitarian assistance to Sudan and the neighbouring countries. We encourage other countries, organisations and private sector actors to join in the response.”

3. CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, JOHANN WADEPHUL, SAYING:

"This extraordinary crisis requires more than our attention. It requires action. Because the situation in Sudan will be far more challenging as we look to the future. I know that this is hard to imagine. Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the war in the Middle East are deepening the crisis for the people in Sudan and the region who are already living in unbearable circumstances. In this regard, our deepest respect goes out to the neighbouring countries that are caring for those who have sought refuge with them.”

5. PARTICIPANTS SEATED

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN-NOEL BARROT, SAYING:

"In the face of this tragedy, marked by injured bodies and shattered lives, France will this year allocate 44 million euros to support the civilian population in Sudan and refugees in neighbouring countries. This contribution will bring France’s total contribution to 275 million euros since the start of this conflict. I commend the contributions made by each and every one of you. It bears witness to the gravity of the crisis in Sudan.”

7. PARTICIPANTS SEATED

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, JEAN-NOEL BARROT, SAYING:

"Today, I want to speak to the people of Sudan. To the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, I say this once again: there is an alternative to war. You must publicly commit to the path of negotiation and peace, starting by agreeing to the ceasefire proposed by the Quad. Together with its partners, France stands ready to contribute to a monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure its implementation.”

9. CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER, YVETTE COOPER, SAYING:

"So I can confirm today the UK will commit 146 million pounds, that is over 165 million euros, in life-saving aid to Sudan. As part of that, the UK will double our support to local aid groups, including the emergency response rooms and women-led organisations, people like the emergency responders I met who have started running community kitchens to provide food and support but have built that to provide other services too, or the incredible group of Sudanese women who set up a makeshift support centre at the edge of a refugee camp for women who've suffered sexual violence and children beset with trauma.”

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SENIOR ADVISOR FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, MASSAD BOULOS, SAYING:

"Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to ending this war. We are working closely with partners in this room and beyond to press for an immediate shift from battlefield to the negotiating table, from violence to dialogue, and for ending this world's biggest humanitarian crisis.”

12. PARTICIPANTS SEATED

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ESPEN BARTH EIDE, SAYING:

"Norway today commits 42 million euros for humanitarian efforts and early recovery, and this comes on top of our core funding of the UN and other key organizations' efforts. We believe that we should all strive to do our utmost to strengthen the humanitarian effort in Sudan as we strive for peace.”

14. CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS