Sudan's Local Responders Honored by the Clinton Global Initiative for Leading Humanitarian Response Amid Ongoing Conflict and Famine

Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan, coordinated by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, has mobilized more than $16 million and commits an additional
$5 million for Sudanese-led response and recovery

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the beginning of Sudan's civil war more than three years ago, community-based groups have been providing food, education and other essential services to more than 20 million people affected by the world's largest humanitarian crisis. These groups were honored for their critical leadership with the Clinton Global Citizen Award, presented by President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2026 Annual Meeting in New York yesterday.

Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan, an international coalition that has helped channel more than $16 million to support these efforts, was also recognized during the award presentation for its support of local responders in Sudan. The coalition, led by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), has helped expand life-saving services, meet urgent needs and build the foundations for recovery in communities affected by conflict and famine.

"As the war in Sudan continues, Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan is helping to sustain local networks like the Emergency Response Rooms," said President Clinton. "We have a responsibility to stay with them for as long as the need remains, and I commend them for expanding their Commitment to Action." 

This year's Clinton Global Citizen Award highlights the impact of thousands of Sudanese community responders who remain on the frontlines of the crisis despite immense challenges.

Hanin Ahmed, a local responder and founder of Old Omdurman Emergency Response Rooms, asks donors, "Keep your eyes, actions and efforts on Sudan. The loudest crisis is not always the most heard. Sudan is crying and bleeding. Will you listen and act?"

For coalition members, the recognition underscores the importance of supporting local responders closest to the crisis.

"This recognition belongs first and foremost to the Sudanese volunteers, neighborhood networks and community organizations that have continued serving their communities despite extraordinary risks," said Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of CDP, on behalf of the coalition. "The award demonstrates what is possible when philanthropy trusts local leaders, provides flexible resources and follows the lead of the people closest to the crisis."

New commitment amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis

Since the civil war started in April 2023, Sudan has remained the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis. Millions of people have lost their lives, and millions more have been forced from their homes. More than 20 million people face acute hunger, with 200,000 people experiencing famine.

Despite threats to safety and personal well-being, and amid tremendous resource constraints, neighborhood committees, women-led teams, youth organizers and other mutual aid groups have been delivering life-saving assistance.

Over the past two years, the coalition has supported community kitchens, mental health support, education programs, health systems, clean water and electricity projects, and other locally led efforts addressing immediate and long-term needs.

At this year's CGI annual conference, coalition members announced a new commitment to mobilizing an additional $5 million in flexible funding by the end of 2027 to boost Sudanese-led response and recovery efforts.

"Our role has been to help ensure these leaders have the resources and flexibility they need to continue that work," said McIlreavy. "We are proud to deepen that commitment in the year ahead."

About Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan

Initiated by the Strengthening Local Humanitarian Leadership Collaborative, which CDP coordinates, participants in Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan are committed to supporting and strengthening local humanitarian responders who are best placed to provide immediate relief, build resilience and pave the way for recovery in their communities.

The coalition surpassed the targets set in its original Commitment to Action, announced at the CGI 2024 Annual Meeting, by channeling at least $2 million in emergency grants by the end of 2024 and generating at least $4.5 million in additional funding from peer philanthropies by the end of 2026. Coalition members expanded that goal in its CGI 2025 Commitment to Action to provide at least $16 million in grants to mutual aid groups by the end of 2026, a target that they ultimately met.

Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan has mobilized financial contributions from the following donors:

• Broad Reach Fund
• Center for Disaster Philanthropy
• Gates Foundation
• Global Fund for Women
• Global Giving
• Humanity United
• Longer Tables Fund
• Minderoo Foundation
• Proximity 2 Humanity
• Proximate Fund Sudan
• Saphira Fund
• Urgent Action Fund Africa
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• Vitol Foundation

These organizations are providing in-kind technical, research and advocacy support:

• ALNAP
• Centre for Humanitarian Leadership
• CORE
• Humanitarian Leadership Academy
• Norwegian Refugee Council
• Saferworld
• Shabaka
• Sudan Crisis Coordination Unit
• The Share Trust

To learn more about the Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan or how you can support community-led efforts to meet urgent and long-term needs in the country, visit disasterphilanthropy.org or contact [email protected].  

About the Center for Disaster Philanthropy

CDP mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities' ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and educational resources, supports diverse coalitions and manages domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. Find out more at disasterphilanthropy.org and on X and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Center for Disaster Philanthropy