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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Lahbib at the European Parliament on the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Sudan Strasbourg, 10 February 2026 The horrific humanitarian crisis in Sudan has already lasted more than one thousand days. And the crisis keeps getting worse. What we are witnessing is the result of a brutal power struggle for resources sustained by armed actors who show ...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Lahbib at the European Parliament on the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Sudan Strasbourg, 10 February 2026 The horrific humanitarian crisis in Sudan has already lasted more than one thousand days. And the crisis keeps getting worse. What we are witnessing is the result of a brutal power struggle for resources sustained by armed actors who show no mercy for civilian life. What is happening in Darfur and the Kordofans is particularly shocking. There were horrific attacks on civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during their capture of El Fasher, North Darfur, at the end of last year. This is unacceptable. The EU has always been clear about its asks. We reiterated our stance in the Council Conclusions that we adopted last October: We will continue to push for coordinated international pressure towards a ceasefire, for immediate humanitarian access to reach those in need, for a civilian transition and for accountability. Those who block aid, commit atrocities, and enable this war must be held accountable. The recent adoption by the Council of a new package of restrictive measures is an important step in reinforcing our collective efforts to promote accountability and support a path towards peace. It shows that we are keeping our eyes on Sudan. We will not shy away from using this tool again. The EU consistently called for concrete measures to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers, and for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to reach those in need. Despite many mediation attempts, the international community has so far failed to stop this tragedy. Engaging with the parties to the conflict is essential, but not sufficient. We must match this by sustained pressure on the regional powers that continue to fuel the conflict, using Sudan as the ground for a proxy war while publicly calling for peace. The mediation efforts, notably those of the Quad, are important, but they must translate into concrete influence over those they support on the ground. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is beyond catastrophic. An estimated 33.7 million people — two thirds of the country's population — are expected to need aid this year. The humanitarian situation in the West of the country is particularly shocking. My services just carried out a mission to Tawila, with shelter for those who fled the horrendous attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on Zamzam camp and El Fasher. From a small Sudanese town, over the space of a few months it became the biggest internal displacement camp in the world, hosting more than 700 thousand displaced persons. Humanitarian partners have stepped up their response. Their commitment is truly commendable, including the generosity of the local communities who have welcomed those who have been internally displaced despite their own difficulties. Most humanitarian organisations working in Tawila, and elsewhere in Sudan, receive EU funding and support from EU humanitarian air bridges delivering life-saving relief items. But needs far exceed the resources. Only an estimated 15%-30% of needs are currently being met in Tawila. Despite the enormous needs, humanitarian space continues to shrink in Sudan, which is one of the deadliest places in the world for aid workers. Across the country, bureaucratic barriers also continue to block humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our call to all parties for safe, full, and unhindered access for humanitarian organisations. Responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan remains a priority for the European Commission. We are using every tool we have, such as humanitarian diplomacy, funding, air bridges and sea freight. On humanitarian advocacy, I visited Chad and the Sudanese border last April. We have hosted or co- hosted key events since the crisis began. We will continue this engagement with another senior officials' meeting on 26 March and will co-host the Sudan Conference on 15 April 2026. I commend the German government for organising it. The Co-hosts could be open to consider inviting the parties, only in return for clear steps for peace. We will also strengthen our regular presence in Sudan to monitor EU-funded operations and work with our humanitarian partners. Between 2023 and 2025, we have made available nearly EUR 700 million for the Sudan crisis and neighbouring countries. With this funding, we support humanitarian partners, wherever they are across the country and in the region, based on the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. In the last three years, the Commission committed 225 million euro of development funds for Sudan, firmly aligned with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach. This emphasises resilience- building for food security, resilience and health and human rights, protection, skills and employment and education. These figures are significant, but the funding gap remains huge and has massive consequences. We count on the Parliament's continued support. SPEECH/26/372
Speech Brief