The EU wants to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sudan. To achieve this EU implements five political approaches.

First, the EU meets with the Sudanese government, political actors, women and youth groups, as well as civil society for dialogue. The dialogue is focused on issues of joint interest, such as peace and stability, inclusive and sustainable development and prosperity, democratization and respect for human rights. The informal dialogue allows both the EU and Sudan to address common issues of interest, including global challenges such as climate change and regional issues such as migration and cooperation in the Nile Basin.

Second, the EU encourages Sudan's constructive engagement with its neighbours and supports regional integration and trans-boundary cooperation. The EU wants to see Sudan active in the area of North, Central and Horn of Africa through positive diplomatic relations and constructive cooperation through the regional organisations like the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), League of Arab States (LAS) and other institutions. The EU supports those organisations and supports its member states to play a peaceful and stabilising role.

The December revolution of 2018 has shown that the people of Sudan have protested not only against the dramatic price increases of essential goods, but also and mainly for freedom, peace and justice. Thus, as third, the EU supports this aspiration and have expressed to the government that was sworn in Sudan in August 2019, the readiness to accompany the peaceful transition both, politically and economically.

Fourth, the European Union plays an important role in building bridges between Sudan and Europe. EU bodies like EU Parliament (EP), European Commission (EC), European External Action Service (EEAS), European Development Aid and Cooperation (DEVCO), European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and European Union Member States work together, hand in hand, in full cooperation and coordination to this end through a steady flow of high level and technical visits and through a wide range of programs in Sudan.

Fifth, the EU addresses issues of peace, democracy, human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance also in regional and international fora. The EU continues to support the Sudanese government in the international forums and organisations and platforms to receive political and financial support. The EU will continue to do that as long as the government in Sudan is working for peace, freedom and justice.

• For more information on our political support to the transitional government in 2020 see the main highlights.

Humanitarian Aid The EU is one of the largest humanitarian donors in Sudan. Most of the EU’s humanitarian assistance in the country is supporting projects implemented by UN agencies and international humanitarian organisations. Since 2011, the EU has allocated over €463 million in life-saving assistance to people in Sudan affected by food insecurity, undernutrition, conflict, and natural disasters. Overall relief efforts continue to respond to the most vital needs despite numerous existing challenges, such as a critical funding gap, the lack of emergency capacity, and a restrictive and insecure operating environment. The majority of EU humanitarian aid in Sudan goes to food assistance and nutrition. It supports the most vulnerable households – mostly internally displaced and refugee families - that struggle to acquire sufficient food to meet their needs. The EU also contributes to the nutritional treatment and care across Sudan for children under five, and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. In 2018, EU humanitarian partners treated more than 215,000 mothers and children suffering from severe undernourishment.

Sudan is host to over 3 million displaced people who have had to flee home for their safety, from within Sudan itself or other countries. Humanitarian demands in the country are simply huge. Since 2018, a sharp economic downturn and price inflation have exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The EU has offices in both the capital, Khartoum, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. EU humanitarian experts regularly travel to the country to assess the multitude of needs. They also identify gaps in the humanitarian response, and monitor EU-funded humanitarian projects carried out by partner organisations.

Considering the pressing demands of the situation, the provision of humanitarian assistance to crisis-affected people of Sudan remains a priority for the EU. The European Commission supports a principled and needs-based approach aimed at providing relief directly to those affected most.

For more information: https://ec.europa.eu/echo/where/africa/sudan_en

About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid:

The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.