Sudanese Film Night:

'Heroic Bodies’

by Sara Suliman

A heart- breaking and powerful look into the women of Sudan. Including a Q&A with the Director.

6pm - 8pm 14th March

Echoes of Sudan:

Navigating Aid Shifts and

the Path to Stability

Overview

As Sudan faces one of the most acute humanitarian crises in its modern history, the global aid architecture is undergoing profound transformations. The recent USAID funding freeze and broader reductions in international support are exacerbating already fragile conditions, raising critical questions about the sustainability of relief efforts, economic recovery, and long-term peacebuilding. These shifting dynamics demand a reassessment of humanitarian response mechanisms, alternative financing models, and the role of governance in stabilising the country.

This high-level roundtable dialogue, hosted as part of Sudan Month at the National Institute for African Studies (NIAS), convenes leading experts, policymakers, academics, and Sudanese community leaders to interrogate the structural implications of aid contractions and explore resilient, locally-driven solutions. As Sudan stands at a crossroads, this discussion will not only dissect the challenges but also advance practical, evidence-based strategies for sustainability and inclusive development.

This session is not merely a discussion it is a call to action. Whether you are a humanitarian practitioner, policymaker, researcher, or part of the Sudanese diaspora, this dialogue will provide the analytical depth and strategic foresight necessary to navigate the complexities of Sudan’s evolving aid landscape.

Key Discussion Areas

The Impact of Global Funding Cuts & Humanitarian Response Strategies

This session critically examines the systemic consequences of declining donor support on Sudan’s humanitarian operations, particularly within displacement camps, food security networks, and emergency healthcare provision. Experts will explore alternative response models, including regional burden-sharing mechanisms, community-led aid delivery, and policy shifts aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of humanitarian interventions in low-resource environments.

Cultural Resilience & Social Cohesion: Sustaining Identity Amidst Funding Challenges

Sudan’s rich cultural heritage, storytelling traditions, and artistic expressions have long served as powerful tools for resilience and national unity. However, cultural initiatives are among the first casualties of funding contractions. This discussion will explore low-cost, high-impact strategies for sustaining Sudanese identity, fostering social cohesion amidst displacement, and leveraging digital platforms and diaspora networks to amplify cultural preservation efforts.

Economic Regeneration & Sustainable Development with Limited Resources

With donor-dependent economic models becoming increasingly untenable, Sudan requires innovative, market-driven approaches to stimulate recovery and financial inclusion. This session introduces alternative financing models, including impact investment, microfinance, and remittance-backed community development, to reduce dependency on external aid. Speakers will discuss the role of technology, entrepreneurship, and informal economies in fostering economic resilience in conflict-affected regions.

The Sudanese Diaspora: Mobilising Resources & Driving Innovation

With conventional funding avenues diminishing, the Sudanese diaspora emerges as a critical actor in sustaining humanitarian and economic support. This session explores diaspora-led financing mechanisms, technology-driven collaborations, and policy innovations to institutionalise and scale Sudanese diaspora contributions. Panellists will discuss the role of digital financial tools, AI-driven remittance models, and cross-border investment platforms in optimising Sudan’s development trajectory.

Why Attend?

Engage with leading experts on the shifting humanitarian funding landscape and its implications for Sudan.

Explore innovative, evidence-based solutions for sustaining aid and fostering economic self-sufficiency.

Learn how grassroots movements, technology, and policy reforms can mitigate the effects of donor contractions.

Connect with a global network of policymakers, scholars, and practitioners dedicated to Sudan’s stability.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 26 March

Location: NIAS Creative Campus, 5 Holborn Circus, London, EC1N 2HB (and via Zoom)

This event is open to humanitarian professionals, policymakers, academics, students, and members of the Sudanese diaspora committed to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for Sudan.

Join us in this urgent conversation be part of the movement to secure Sudan’s path to peace and stability.

Register now and contribute to redefining the future of humanitarian action in Sudan.

Shows later this year

Previous Shows