The situation in Sudan is dire. Internal hostilities have continued for over 4 months, with escalating violence recently reported in Khartoum, Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile.

New displacement continues to be reported across the country and into neighbouring countries, with over 4.5 million people who have now left their homes due to the conflict. The protection of civilians remains a key concern, with reports of sexual and gender- based violence rising.

Access to health continues to be hampered by the ongoing conflict. Bureaucratic impediments to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance remain high and continue to be a key challenge in delivering at scale.

Despite the challenges, critical humanitarian assistance has reached over 2.9 million people, but far more is needed.

The neighbouring countries have already received close to 1 million refugees, returnees, and third country nationals. Hosting countries need additional support to continue providing protection and critical life-saving assistance.

This high-level event aims to:

• raise awareness on the humanitarian crisis in the country and its impact on the region
• address operational challenges with solutions (i.e., humanitarian access)
• support response plans with timely and flexible funding.

Programme

14:00 Opening Remarks: Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (on behalf of the UN Secretary-General)

14:05 Keynote remarks: Mr. Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator on the cost of inaction

14:10 Opening Segment

• His Highness, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan AlSaud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.
• H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt
• H.E. Ms. Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation of Qatar
• H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission

14:25 Regional Response: Mr. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

14:30 Video: Voices of Women and Girls in Sudan

14:33 Interactive high-level panel discussion

• H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and Adviser to the Royal Court
• H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
• H.E. Mr. Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management
• Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross

15:00: Video: Voices of Refugee Women and Girls

15:02: Interventions

Interventions from the floor starting with Sudan on shared responsibility and what each Member State/Partner can bring to the table to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. The interventions segment includes a special feature by Ms. Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President of the World Bank Group for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Interventions of Ministers and other participants (2 minutes each)

15:55: Closing Segment: Mr. Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

16:00: END