September 23, 2026 – New York -- Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan, a coalition coordinated by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), has mobilized more than $16 million for community-based relief groups and pledged an additional $5 million in flexible funding by the end of 2027.
Clinton Global Initiative honors Sudanese responders with 2026 Citizen Award
Former President Bill Clinton presented the Clinton Global Citizen Award to Sudan's community-based mutual aid groups at the CGI 2026 Annual Meeting in New York, recognizing networks such as the Emergency Response Rooms that have delivered food, education and other services to more than 20 million people since the civil war began in April 2023.
Coalition exceeded its original $16 million target set at CGI 2025
Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan first pledged $2 million in emergency grants by the end of 2024, later raising the bar to $16 million in grants by the end of 2026 -- a target the coalition confirmed it has now met. Fourteen donor organizations, including the Gates Foundation, Humanity United, the Vitol Foundation and Minderoo Foundation, have channeled funds through the initiative, alongside nine technical and advocacy partners such as the Norwegian Refugee Council and ALNAP.
Sudan remains world's largest displacement and hunger crisis
More than 20 million people in Sudan face acute hunger, with 200,000 experiencing famine conditions, according to the coalition. Over the past two years, funded programs have supported community kitchens, mental health services, education, health systems, clean water access and electricity projects run by neighborhood committees, women-led teams and youth organizers operating under persistent security threats.
CDP leadership commits to deeper, flexible funding through 2027
"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, speaking on behalf of the coalition. She said the new $5 million commitment aims to sustain resource flexibility for local leaders directing recovery efforts closest to the crisis.