There was no shortage of grim news last year. Our social media feeds were saturated with the horrors coming out of Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria as they leapfrogged over each other for attention with every fresh outrage. But one major crisis rarely made headlines - despite its size and savagery.
Sudan’s people have suffered on a scale that’s almost impossible to take in. The 20-month power struggle between the army and its former ally, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. More than 11 million people have been forced from their homes. Some estimates suggest up to 150,000 people had been killed so far in the conflict.
It’s not just Sudan. Over the last year almost a million refugees and returnees have crossed the border into South Sudan to escape horrific war crimes, violence and rape.
What is Christian Aid doing?
In addition to meeting needs in South Sudan, Christian Aid’s local partners are trying to support this huge influx from Sudan by providing cash, emergency supplies and access to water and sanitation to almost 100,000 people.
One of our partners says it’s a struggle to cope. Earlier in 2024 our colleague was working in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, one of the three entry points. The situation became very tense. There was already a high level of food insecurity due to failed harvests over the previous two years because of extreme flooding and much longer dry seasons.
This was compounded by the new arrivals. The partner could only support 4,500 of the most vulnerable but the number of people wanting help was double that, with more arriving every day. They didn’t have enough, and the remainder felt left out.
He understood what they were going through because he was born and raised a refugee in Kakuma refugee camp.
It is not too late to save lives. Please help if you can. Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people in need.
Those crossing from the north have sparked a crisis on top of the existing crisis in South Sudan. Nine million people here need humanitarian assistance, famine is on the rise, clean water is a daily ambition for many as the long-term effects of violence, conflict and climate change continue.
Then late last year in Juba there was an outbreak of violence between the President’s military forces and armed groups connected to the former head of the National Security Agency. Elections keep on being postponed and peace is fragile.
But this isn’t a doctrine of despair. Christian Aid doesn’t just provide humanitarian support. We also work hand in hand with local activists like the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) to help the country’s government establish and implement the 2018 peace agreement.
Action taken from church leaders
Respected church leaders have and are playing a key role in building trust and confidence, such as brokering peace deals at local level.
The newly elected head of SSCC Rev. Tut Kony Nyang Kon said their role was to bring the country around a unity of purpose. He said: 'South Sudan’s leaders need to present a reinvigorated plan for free and fair elections in two years to reassure people, rally the peacemakers and deter those who may see an opportunity to undermine the peace gains made so far.'
But they need diplomatic support too.
The UK, along with the USA and Norway, is part of the influential “troika” that must make a serious diplomatic investment in the national and international peace processes to ensure that the existing peace agreement holds and deter other states from providing financial or military support that can fuel conflict and violence.
Additional money for South Sudan, announced by UK Development Minister Anneliese Dodds last August, is welcome. However, long-haul investment is required.
Pray for Sudan and our emergencies today with our prayer resources.
What should happen next?
- The UK government needs to show it means what it says when it promised the UN Security Council last month that it would champion the protection of civilians and double aid for those fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
- The UK should lead the way in bridging the funding gap for South Sudan.
- Because we believe in the unstoppable power of hope, 2025 should be a leadership moment for the UK and the international community to increase support for the region and get behind South Sudan’s churches in their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation.
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