Sudan, located in north-eastern Africa, has been a hotbed for a deepening socio-political crisis since fighting broke out in the country last year. So far, international organizations estimate that about 25.6 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – face acute hunger, including more than 700,000 people on the brink of famine. More so, an approximated 10.7 million people have been displaced. This includes more than 7.9 million people displaced within Sudan and 2.1 million people who have fled to neighbouring countries.

The fighting has left a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure with 75 percent of health facilities rendered non-functional in areas of intense conflict. Destruction of power, sanitation and water infrastructure has further exacerbated the dire situation and has led to increased risk of diseases.

Prior to the secession of South Sudan in 2011, Sudan was the largest African country. Since gaining independence in 1956, it has had numerous changes in government and has endured two civil wars spanning decades of the country’s history. The worsening power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is the reason for this recent fighting. The struggle erupted into large-scale conflict in April 2023 and is driving the continent’s largest humanitarian crisis.

In the face of this situation, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operating in Chad and South Sudan, is joining forces with partner organizations to serve people in need of humanitarian assistance, especially those fleeing the conflict. JRS is focusing on education in Chad and providing rehabilitation and mental health support in South Sudan. The organization also provides basic non-food items such as soap, mattresses and mosquito nets for the most vulnerable among the displaced communities including people with special needs and survivors of gender-based violence.

Neighbouring countries have been receiving many Sudanese who are escaping the conflict. According to the UNHCR, Chad has received the highest number of displaced individuals with over 620,000 people crossing its borders, Egypt follows closely with about 500,000, while South Sudan, Libya, Uganda and Ethiopia have also received significant numbers of displaced individuals. In South Sudan, most of those arriving are returning nationals who had been living in Sudan.

While media coverage of the Sudanese conflict appears to be spotty, overlooked due to other crises in other parts of the world, the needs of the Sudanese population continue to grow. JRS has urged the international community not to abandon the people of Sudan and has called for much greater international humanitarian support to mitigate the enormity of the suffering of the people.

In Renk, South Sudan, at a transit center that receives many people fleeing the violence in Sudan, hope is hard to sustain amidst so many who have been uprooted from their homes, families and loved ones due to the conflict. Humanitarian organizations are doing all that they can, despite being underfunded, overworked and overwhelmed. Their capacities are stretched to their limits with rapidly depleting resources, as they fight to keep hope alive.

Pope Francis has repeatedly drawn attention to the dire situation in Sudan. During the Angelus on 2 June 2024, he invited everyone to “pray for Sudan, where the war that has lasted over a year has yet to find a peaceful solution. May weapons be silenced.” He also urged Sudanese authorities and international leaders to help the many displaced people fleeing the war in Sudan.

Also, in his first General Audience after his summer pause in July, the Pope asked the faithful to join in prayers for the war-torn peoples of Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan. “May these peoples, tried by war, soon find the greatly-desired peace,” Pope Francis said.

[All photos © JRS - Jesuit Refugee Service]