The Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) and Save the Children in Sudan will host Humanitarian Xchange (HX) Port Sudan, a two-day regional conference themed “Locally Led Humanitarian Action in Sudan: Strengthening Response Through Collaboration and Innovation”. The in-person-only conference will take place from 23–24 September 2025 in Port Sudan and will be conducted in both English and Arabic.
The conference is expected to convene over 60 local, regional and international humanitarians working for the context of Sudan in various capacities to collaborate and share knowledge, innovative ideas, best practices, and strategies for strengthening humanitarian efforts across Sudan.
Mohamed Abdiladi, Country Director at Save the Children in Sudan said:
“The conflict in Sudan has unleashed one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises, with more than 30 million people in urgent need of life-saving assistance. Across every corner of Sudan, humanitarians are working relentlessly to deliver relief, protection, and hope to affected communities. These are profoundly distressing times, yet also a moment for reflection, recalibration, and a renewed commitment to stand alongside the communities, networks, organisations, and partners both private and institutional, who make this important work possible.
At Save the Children in Sudan, we are honoured to provide a space where local leaders and organisations can come together, strengthen their strategies, and amplify their impact. Collectively, in unity we can deliver the life-saving support that children and families so desperately need.”
Pawel Mania, Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy said:
“The Humanitarian Xchange is about creating space for people to come together, share experiences, and learn from each other — from local responders and crisis-affected communities to international agencies and donors. Since 2024, HX has been helping to bridge the gap between global humanitarian actors and those on the frontlines, ensuring that local voices shape the way we respond.
At the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, we’re proud to convene HX so far across East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, with the support of Save the Children, Google.org, the Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, and many partners. Bringing HX to Port Sudan is a reflection of that same commitment and as members of the Coalition for Mutual Aid, we are standing alongside communities affected by crisis and making sure their leadership is at the centre of humanitarian action.”
The conference agenda is focused on mutual aid in Sudan’s crisis response, strengthening community resilience, locally Led initiatives, funding and sustainability, influencing policy and more. Speakers will represent a wide range of perspectives—including refugee-led organisations, academia, NGOs, and INGOs.
Mary Lupul, Humanitarian Director at Save The Children in Sudan said: “If ever there has been a point in time when the efforts of local humanitarian actors are paramount, it is now. Mutual Aid groups, national NGOs and others, are on the front lines of providing life sustaining and lifesaving assistance to Sudan’s children and their families.
The Humanitarian Xchange provides a face-to-face forum for these actors to network, share experiences, discuss adaptive programming, funding challenges and so much more all with the aim of increasing the impact of our collective humanitarian responses.”
Huseyin Arslan, Senior Lead, Humanitarian Leadership and Response at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy said:
“The Humanitarian Xchange in Port Sudan is more than just a conference it is a space where voices from local communities, national actors, and international partners come together to reimagine what a truly inclusive humanitarian response can look like.
At a time where Sudanese communities are facing immense challenges, this gathering is about recognising their strength, their resilience, and their leadership. By sharing experiences, building trust, and fostering collaboration, we are not only working to address immediate needs but also laying the foundation for a more sustainable, locally driven response that leaves no one behind.”
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In 2024, HLA launched the Humanitarian Xchange (HX) – a groundbreaking global event series designed to cultivate a forward-thinking environment for addressing humanitarian challenges and driving transformative change.
The inaugural Humanitarian Xchange (HX24) event was held on 20 February in London, UK and was named Best Charity Event/Event for Positive Change in the Conference and Event Awards. From London to Gaziantep, Sarajevo to Baghdad, Kampala, and now Port Sudan, with the support of Google.org, HX is bringing together passionate individuals and organisations globally.
Visit the HX website to learn more.
About the Organisers
Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA)
HLA accelerates the movement for locally led humanitarian action by reimagining how response is delivered and how frontline actors are supported. Kaya our free digital learning reaches over 875,000 humanitarians globally. www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org
Save the Children International
Save the Children works globally to ensure every child survives, learns, and is protected. In Sudan, the organisation focuses on child health and nutrition, education, protection, and resilient livelihoods/climate change adaptation. Sudan | Save the Children International
Media Contacts
- Anwar Adam – Anwar.Adam@savethechildren.org
- Huseyin Arslan – huseyin.arslan@savethechildren.org
- Zeinelabdeen Abbas – Zeinelabdeen.Abbas@savethechildren.org
- Nwando Okoh – n.okoh@savethechildren.org.uk
