In large parts of Sudan, death is everywhere. Right before our eyes, the largest humanitarian disaster of our times is unfolding. Wide swaths of land have been destroyed, hundreds of thousands of families have had to flee their homes, millions are suffering hunger, and women and children are exposed to the worst sexual violence. The destructive effects of the conflict are shaking the entire region of north-eastern Africa.

In their lust for power, the two generals Burhan and Hemedti have for two years brought untold horrors on their own people. The most recent attacks on refugee camps in Darfur, where hundreds of thousands are seeking protection under terrible conditions, show that no one is safe – neither children nor humanitarian aid workers or doctors. Medical infrastructure is being intentionally destroyed, and the armies and militias are ruthlessly fighting for every village. Not only are they tearing apart their own country, but they are also responsible for tens of thousands of people starving to death. With support from abroad, they are engaged in a brutal war that has no winners and in which not only the 50 million people of Sudan are the losers. This results in displacement, suffering and death. The neighbouring countries are being stretched to the limit when it comes to dealing with the ever larger number of severely traumatised people seeking refuge there.

That is why, in London, in cooperation with our African partners, we will explore possibilities for establishing unrestricted humanitarian access, protecting the civilian population and finding a political solution to the violent conflict. Important actors from the region and the Gulf, as well as the United States and the United Nations, among others, will be gathering for this purpose in London. The only way to finally bring the parties to the conflict to the negotiating table is by exerting collective international pressure. The Gulf countries play a particularly important role in this context. They must bring their influence to bear, for example with a view to establishing humanitarian corridors.

To alleviate the suffering of people in the region and to stabilise the situation in the neighbouring countries, Germany, too, is assuming responsibility and will make available an additional 125 million euro in humanitarian assistance, so that international and local aid organisations can get urgently needed food and medicine to those in need.