French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne announced on Wednesday that France will host a humanitarian conference in Paris on April 15th to address the dire situation in war-torn Sudan and neighboring countries.
“This gathering aims to tackle the dramatic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan,” Sejourne told the lower house of parliament, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “We cannot allow this to become a forgotten crisis.”
The announcement arrives nearly a year after the outbreak of conflict between Sudan’s military leaders, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The ongoing fight has caused widespread devastation, with thousands killed and an estimated 25 million people, over half the population, requiring humanitarian assistance. Nearly 18 million individuals face acute food insecurity, according to alarming UN figures.
The conflict has also triggered significant displacement, forcing 1.6 million people to flee to neighboring Chad and Egypt, while an additional 6.1 million are internally displaced within Sudan. The World Health Organization further warned of a potential “catastrophic” hunger crisis during the upcoming summer lean season due to the deteriorating situation.
With the conference, France aims to bring together key stakeholders to generate concrete solutions and mobilize international support for Sudan and its affected neighbors. Details regarding specific commitments and attendees are yet to be disclosed.
