EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib delivered the closing remarks at the Sudan Conference in Berlin, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to end the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Lahbib announced that the EU plans to join the Coalition on Atrocity Prevention and Justice in Sudan, signaling a commitment to a coordinated international effort aimed at halting atrocities.
Funding and Localisation Commitment
Lahbib highlighted the scale of EU's financial involvement, noting that the EU and its Member States have pledged over €811 million in support for Sudan and neighbouring refugee-hosting countries in 2026. This includes over €360 million from the European Commission and more than €451 million from EU Member States. Importantly, Lahbib underscored a policy orientation towards localisation, committing to allocate at least 25% of humanitarian funding to local Sudanese organisations, which enhances local engagement while potentially increasing effectiveness in aid delivery.
Protection of Humanitarian Workers
Beyond funding, the Commissioner outlined concrete measures such as the Protect Aid Workers programme, providing relocation, legal, medical, and psychosocial support to aid workers facing severe risks in Sudan. This initiative reflects an increase in institutional support and protection for humanitarian staff, aligning with principles of International Humanitarian Law against attacks on aid workers.
Balancing Priorities and Stakeholder Impact
The speech delineates a policy framework that increases EU engagement and integration in crisis response, reinforcing EU institutional strength in humanitarian aid and atrocity prevention. The measures also increase regulation and oversight in protection of aid workers. Stakeholders directly impacted include EU humanitarian NGOs and Sudanese local organisations—who receive enhanced funding and support—and humanitarian workers, who gain increased protection. Conversely, the substantial financial commitments require significant EU budget allocations, highlighting a trade-off between humanitarian ambitions and fiscal resources. Meanwhile, Sudanese warring parties face legal pressures, potentially affecting national sovereignty debates.
Commissioner Lahbib’s remarks represent a concrete step towards strengthening EU’s humanitarian role with measurable funding targets, institutional programs, and explicit commitments to local actors and protection mechanisms, thus shifting EU policy to a more interventionist and supportive posture in Sudan.