Sudanese groups and envoys to the country complain that it has become a “forgotten conflict” as the world’s attention is fixed on wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
The United Nations has this year asked for $2.7bn (£2.2bn) to get food, health care and other supplies to 24 million people in Sudan. Donors have so far given less than five per cent.
António Guterres, UN Secretary General, said the nation was trapped in the “nightmare of bloodshed”.
“We cannot let this nightmare slide from view,” he told the conference.
“It’s time to support the Sudanese people. It’s time to silence the guns,” he added.
After a year of war, Sudan descended into what has been called a “blood soaked playground” for regional powers backing different factions and fighting proxy wars.
Russia, Iran, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Saudis and even Ukraine are all backing sides.
Stephane Sejourne, French foreign minister, said the Paris conference aimed to mobilize funding to help Sudanese victims of both a “terrible war” and “international indifference.”
“It’s a colossal task,” she said. “It’s a war the Sudanese people did not want, a war that only produces chaos and suffering.”
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, said in the worst case, one million could die of hunger this year.
She said: “We can manage together to avoid a terrible famine catastrophe, but only if we get active together now.”
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