Foreign Secretary David Lammy has described the ongoing conflict in Sudan as “brutal” and warned of dire global consequences if instability in the region is left unchecked. His comments came ahead of a major international conference in London on Tuesday, held to mark two years since the outbreak of war in the country.
The UK Government announced a fresh £120 million humanitarian aid package aimed at delivering food and emergency support to some of the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict. The funding will be allocated during the 2025/26 financial year, with a focus on reaching over 600,000 individuals, including survivors of sexual violence and displaced children.
The London conference, co-hosted by the UK, the African Union, the European Union, France, and Germany, will bring together representatives from South Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other key stakeholders to forge a unified path towards peace and stability in Sudan.
“Instability must not spread,” Mr Lammy said. “It drives migration from Sudan and the wider region, and a safe and stable Sudan is vital for our national security. The UK will not let Sudan be forgotten.”
The Foreign Secretary continued: “Two years is far too long. The brutal war in Sudan has devastated the lives of millions and yet much of the world continues to look away. We need to act now to stop the crisis from becoming an all-out catastrophe, ensuring aid gets to those who need it the most.”
Mr Lammy recently visited Chad’s border with Sudan, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the conflict. “The warring parties have shown an appalling disregard for the civilian population of Sudan,” he said. “This conference will bring together the international community to agree a pathway to end the suffering.”
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 following intense fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The violence has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory, with more than 12.7 million people forcibly displaced, according to United Nations agencies. Of these, over 1.1 million have fled to South Sudan and around 1.5 million to Egypt.
Ahead of the London summit, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric urged the international community to act with unity. “We want to see Sudan’s neighbours and the global community move in unity of purpose towards peace, instead of fuelling the conflict,” he said.
The new UK aid package will help supply basic foodstuffs such as pulses, oil, salt, and cereals to vulnerable communities. It will also support emergency healthcare and protection services, particularly for women and children affected by violence.
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The announcement comes in the wake of a previous £113 million aid commitment made by the UK last November. However, concerns remain about the overall scale of support as the Government plans to reduce its development spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) by 2027.
Humanitarian organisations have welcomed the additional funding but urged the UK and other donors to maintain consistent support in the face of growing global crises.
A spokesperson for a leading UK-based charity working in Sudan said: “We are grateful for this renewed commitment, but the scale of suffering in Sudan requires sustained and coordinated action. Millions are living in desperate conditions, and they cannot afford to be ignored.”
As the war drags into its third year, the London conference is seen as a critical opportunity to galvanise global attention and political will. Mr Lammy concluded: “We must renew our commitment to peace, justice, and humanitarian support. Sudan’s future, and that of the wider region, depends on it.”
