Amnesty International has called on international donors to secure increased funding and mandate unhindered humanitarian access ahead of the International Ministerial Conference on Sudan, scheduled for April 15 in Berlin. The organization warns that the meeting must move beyond diplomatic discourse to provide immediate, tangible support for civilians caught in the three-year conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Current estimates indicate that more than 33 million people in Sudan require urgent assistance. The humanitarian landscape is characterized by a widening gap between escalating needs and declining international aid, leaving millions vulnerable to cholera, acute malnutrition, and untreated trauma injuries. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and South Africa, stated that the Berlin conference represents a critical opportunity for donors to commit funds directly to frontline non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to alleviate civilian suffering.
Impact of Funding Shortfalls on Healthcare
Reporting from late 2025 reveals that insufficient funding has forced several NGOs to either cease operations or significantly reduce their staff. The scarcity of basic medical supplies, including antibiotics and painkillers, has reached a point where some international organizations must prioritize patients based on limited stock, effectively rationing life-saving care.
The malnutrition crisis has been further exacerbated by the closure of community kitchens. CARE International estimates that up to 80 percent of these kitchens have shut down due to aid cuts. One international NGO reported that it can currently meet only 50 percent of the demand for ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), the nutrient-dense paste essential for treating children with severe acute malnutrition.
Gender-Based Violence and Vulnerable Populations
The conflict has seen widespread sexual violence perpetrated by all warring parties, yet the systems required to treat survivors are collapsing. Grassroots women’s rights groups report a total loss of funding in some sectors, leaving hundreds of women and girls without access to reproductive healthcare or specialized treatment for traumatic fistula.
The crisis extends beyond Sudan’s borders, with over 4.5 million people fleeing to neighboring countries. In February, the United Nations issued an appeal for $1.6 billion to support these refugee populations. Within displacement camps in Chad, individuals with disabilities face extreme hardship. Reports include cases of teenagers unable to afford essential surgeries for combat-related injuries and children with cerebral palsy lacking the wheelchairs necessary to access basic sanitation or education.
Institutional and Diplomatic Obstacles
The delivery of aid is complicated by the collapse of banking systems and severe security risks, requiring NGOs to plan logistics months in advance. This operational complexity is clashing with a trend of “start-and-stop” funding from international donors.
Data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs shows that U.S. Funding for Sudan’s coordinated humanitarian plan was halved between 2024, and 2025. For the 2025 cycle, less than 40 percent of the total plan has been financed by all donors combined.
While the UK Foreign Office has recently prioritized Sudan and focused on the needs of women and girls following an Independent Commission for Aid Impact report, these commitments face the challenge of significant cuts to UK development programs and staffing.
Amnesty International is urging high-income states to honor the commitment of allocating 0.7 percent of their Gross National Income to overseas aid. Beyond immediate funding, the organization is calling for long-term measures, including debt cancellation, to enable Sudan to invest in public services. The immediate focus remains on the outcomes of the April 15 ministerial meeting in Berlin.
