George Gerapetritis announced that Greece will contribute €1 million in additional humanitarian aid to Sudan, as the country faces what has been described as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
The pledge was made during the Third International Conference for Sudan held in Berlin, where global leaders and organizations gathered to coordinate support efforts and address the escalating situation.
As reported in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gerapetritis emphasized the severity of the humanitarian crisis and the strain it is placing on affected populations and regional stability. “The situation in Sudan constitutes an insult for the international community and human dignity. We need to hear the voices of women and children from Sudan while being part of the already crucial humanitarian financial contribution of the European Union and the UN to Sudan. We also pledge to contribute an additional amount of 1 million euros on the occasion of today’s conference.”
Call for coordinated international response
In his address, the Greek foreign minister emphasized Greece’s commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging all parties involved in the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law.
He also highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to migration and forced displacement in the Horn of Africa, noting that regional instability is already affecting migration routes toward both Central and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
Conference exceeds funding goals
The conference, co-organized by major international actors including European and global institutions, surpassed its initial funding target. A total of €1.5 billion was raised—well above the original €1 billion goal—marking what organizers described as a significant step in addressing urgent humanitarian needs.
Greece’s contribution adds to existing financial support already provided through broader European and United Nations initiatives.
Focus on humanitarian access and infrastructure
Gerapetritis called for the immediate withdrawal of external actors from Sudan and stressed the importance of establishing safe corridors for humanitarian aid delivery. He also proposed structured support for displaced populations, including their safe return to secure areas. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening essential civilian infrastructure—such as water supply, energy, healthcare and food systems—warning that attacks on such facilities constitute war crimes.
“Especially, we suggest immediate withdrawal of all external actors, creation of safe passages for humanitarian assistance, organized returns of displaced individuals in secure zones, scheduled and predictable funding to legitimate local actors in Sudan, especially through the Emergency Response Rooms, creation of critical civilian infrastructure including water, energy, health, and food supplies, that any attack against them is considered to be a war crime, support to neighboring countries hosting refugees from Sudan to prevent regional spillover. And clearly, Sudan needs a civilian-led political order. It is our responsibility and the responsibility of the international community to create the suitable environment for this purpose.”
Supporting neighboring countries
The Greek minister also underlined the importance of assisting countries neighboring Sudan that are hosting large numbers of refugees, in order to prevent the crisis from spreading further across the region.
“The situation in Sudan is an affront to human dignity,” he said, calling on the international community to act decisively and ensure that aid reaches those most in need, especially women and children. The conference also included participation from international officials and civil society representatives, whose involvement was described as crucial for achieving a sustainable resolution to the conflict.