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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Lahbib at the Fourth Humanitarian Senior Officials' Meeting on Sudan Brussels, 26 March 2026 Thank you for your continued commitment to the people of Sudan, almost three years into this devastating conflict. Today many crises are competing for our attention, but allow me to start with one clear message: Sudan remains a top priority for the E...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Lahbib at the Fourth Humanitarian Senior Officials' Meeting on Sudan Brussels, 26 March 2026 Thank you for your continued commitment to the people of Sudan, almost three years into this devastating conflict. Today many crises are competing for our attention, but allow me to start with one clear message: Sudan remains a top priority for the European Union. From day one, the EU and its Member States have worked to keep Sudan high on the international agenda and to push for strong action. We co-hosted two international conferences, in Paris and London, and we organised three Humanitarian Senior Official Meetings here in Brussels. Today is the fourth one. We are proud to bring the humanitarian community together in solidarity with the Sudanese people. We all share the same hope that one day meetings like this will no longer be needed. It has now been over 1,000 days of war. More than anything, the people of Sudan need peace. The violence continues to drive humanitarian needs even higher. In recent months, we have seen repeated attacks on civilians, on civilian infrastructure, and on humanitarian operations. What happened in El Fasher last October shocked us all. We have seen siege tactics in El Fasher, Dilling and Kadugli. Drones and rockets have targeted trucks and warehouses filled with food for people facing famine, hospitals attacked, civilians and aid workers killed or injured. Humanitarian infrastructure has been destroyed, and attacks on markets have cut off access to goods and disrupted the economy. Last month, together with Ministers from more than thirty countries, I strongly condemned these unlawful attacks. Today I want to repeat that message: I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violence against civilians, especially women and children and the repeated violations of international humanitarian law. All parties must respect international humanitarian law. That means allowing safe, rapid, and unhindered access to food, medicine, and essential supplies. Civilians and humanitarian workers must always be protected, and people fleeing must be able to do so safely. In this extremely difficult environment, local responders take the greatest risks. Allow me therefore to thank the Sudanese aid workers, including those here with us today. On behalf of the European Union, I want to recognise your courage, your dedication, and your ability to keep going, even in the most dangerous conditions. I also want to honour those who have lost their lives while helping others. Sudan is one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers. This is unacceptable. Sudan is now the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Over 33 million people need assistance. It is also the largest displacement crisis with over 13 million people forced from their homes. It is one of the worst hunger crises. More than 19 million people face acute hunger, and famine is being used as a tactic of war by a party to the conflict. It is also one of the deadliest conflicts with estimates ranging from 50,000 to over 150,000 people killed. Sudan is also a protection crisis. Millions face daily threats to their safety and dignity. Both sides continue to use tactics that harm civilians and violate International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law. This year over 22 million people need protection assistance, almost double last year. These violations of International Humanitarian Law are not just consequences of the crisis. They are driving the skyrocketing humanitarian needs. This is also a gender emergency. Women and girls are facing extreme violence. Sexual violence is widespread, and rape is being used as a weapon to terrorise communities. Women and girls are the most affected by hunger and the most at risk when they are forced to flee. In this sea of suffering, the European Union will continue to stand with the people of Sudan. We will continue to provide humanitarian aid and protection, in Sudan and in neighbouring countries. Despite global pressure and competing crises, we intend to maintain our level of funding. But aid can only work if access is guaranteed, safely and unhindered, including in conflict-affected areas and in areas hosting refugees and returnees from Sudan. Humanitarian aid alone cannot solve this crisis. Sudan needs peace. People need to rebuild their lives and to stand on their own feet again. We cannot allow this mountain of suffering to continue. Allow me to end by thanking all of you who have shared your ideas and expertise in recent months. Those of you working on the ground need strong support, from donors and from political leaders. Next month I will chair the humanitarian segment of the Ministerial on Sudan in Berlin. I will carry forward your messages with one clear goal: to improve how we deliver aid and to bring real relief to the people of Sudan. You can count on the European Union to keep Sudan high on the global agenda, right where it belongs. SPEECH/26/733
Speech Brief