Crisis in Sudan
Sudan is facing the world's largest ongoing displacement and hunger crisis. We must act now.
Aid workers sit with Sudanese refugees in Chad. Photo credit: Caritas Mongo.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan
25 million people
are in need of acute humanitarian assistance.
Over 14 million
of those in need are children.
Over 13 million people
have been forced to flee their homes.
Over 20,000 people
have been killed since April 2023.
Our partners are on the ground providing vulnerable communities with:
Support to families forced from their homes by conflict
Emergency Shelter
Safe, clean water
Sanitation and hygiene support
Sudan crisis appeal - donate now to help
Handwashing facilities in a refugee camp in White Nile State, Sudan, installed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Photo CAFOD
Can provide construction of latrines, hand washing facilities and gender-segregated bathing facilities.
Caritas Mongo supporting Sudanese refugees as they arrive in Chad. Photo credit: Caritas Mongo.
Can provide sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and blankets for families forced from their homes by conflict.
A pregnant Sudanese refugee carrying water in neighbouring Chad. Photo credit: Caritas Mongo.
Can help procure and install a 5,000 litre water tank to bring clean water access to vulnerable families.
Support Sudan: A Nation in Crisis
Sudan is facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with conflict, hunger, and disease devastating millions of lives. The ongoing conflict which began on April 15, 2023, has created unprecedented challenges for the people of Sudan.
The Devastating Impact of Conflict
- Displacement crisis: Nearly 11 million people are internally displaced, and 2.3 million people have fled to neighboring countries. Sudan hosts 14% of the world's internally displaced people.
- Women and children most affected: Over half of the displaced population are women and girls, and 54% are under 18.
- Escalating hunger: More than 25.6 million people—over half of Sudan’s population—are struggling with food insecurity. Over 750,000 people are in famine conditions and are facing starvation.
Worsening Conditions in 2024
Sudan’s rainy season in mid-2024 brought severe flooding, compounding the suffering of displaced families. At the same time, a cholera outbreak has claimed over 1,000 lives and infected over 35,000 people across 11 states.
Expanding Conflict Zones
The conflict, once concentrated in Khartoum, has spread to regions critical for agriculture and trade, including Greater Darfur, Greater Kordofan, and key wheat-producing areas in Al Jazirah. This expansion has further destabilized the country, forcing families to flee eastward and cutting off essential access routes.
Under-Reported and Underfunded
The crisis in Sudan remains under-reported in global media and underfunded by the international community. The current humanitarian response falls far short of the needs, with critical shortages in food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. Humanitarian agencies report immense challenges in accessing affected areas due to insecurity and arbitrary bureaucratic restrictions.
Genocide Accusations
In January 2025, The U.S. government determined that members of paramilitary forces and militias in Sudan had engaged in genocide as part of the ongoing conflict. This determination is based on the ethnic targeting of men and boys, the targeting of fleeing civilians, and the use of sexual violence against women and girls from certain ethnic groups.
Every dollar you give brings hope to a family in desperate need.
Time is running out for millions in Sudan. Stand with us in responding to this humanitarian emergency.
Our response
In partnership with CAFOD, and local partners SOS Sahel and ERRADA, we are supporting:
Food distribution at 17 gathering points for internally displaced people.
Multi-purpose cash assistance.
Access clean, safe water and hygiene services.
Shelter for internally displaced people and refugees.
Joint statement to Human Rights Council
Caritas Internationalis, along with ACT Alliance and Jesuit Refugee Services presented the following joint statement to the Human Rights Council:
"We are deeply concerned regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has been affecting millions of people, particularly women and children, for nearly two years. The unrelenting conflict has led to widespread hunger, with nearly 25 million people facing acute food insecurity, and alarming levels of sexual violence. Humanitarian access challenges and safety of humanitarian personnel also contribute to exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The urgent need for immediate unhindered and safe humanitarian access across Sudan and its borders, as well as increased funding for local and national responders and bold diplomatic efforts to end the violence and find a way to peace is essential.
We therefore urge the international community to demonstrate greater solidarity and financial support to respond to the huge and increasing humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people."
“The sheer scale of the suffering in Sudan is unimaginable. The number of displaced people is about half the population of Australia, with children making up the majority.
The food crisis is severe, with all displaced people experiencing a minimum phase 3 food crisis where malnutrition becomes an issue. 3.6m people are in phase 4 where malnutrition becomes acute. 755,000 are in phase 5 which is a famine, meaning people begin to starve to death.
We are incredibly proud of our partners who continue, under extremely challenging conditions, to provide sanitation services that help prevent the spread of disease, while assisting vulnerable people with protection services and the means to procure lifesaving necessities."
Social Justice for Sudan
While Caritas Australia’s work is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching (CST), we respond wherever we are needed and support the most vulnerable, regardless of belief, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
We believe that CST is universal. In short, our approach to humanitarian aid for Sudan is founded on
- The dignity of the human person
- The common good
- Subsidiarity and participation
- Solidarity
- Preferential option for the poor
- Economic justice
- Care for our common home
- Promotion of peace
FAQ
Sudan currently faces multiple problems that are all critical, including food insecurity and famine, displacement, disease and conflict.
Your donation will be used to support our partners on the ground in Sudan who are delivering support to vulnerable communities with emergency shelter, health and medical support, and access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation support.
No, our partners on the ground are best placed to decide where funds are directed based on their expertise and first-hand experience of the priority needs of the population, and the current context and access situation.
As part of one of the biggest humanitarian networks in the world, we work alongside partner organisations who have been in the region for decades, and have the necessary knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure donations are used effectively. We are DFAT accredited and ACFID signatories, ensuring that we have responsible governance of funds at the highest level.
Yes, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
No, we do not accept donations of goods. Goods can be expensive through shipping and storage fees, and cause logistics issues which can delay the arrival of much needed aid.
Yes, we deliver aid to those who need it most, regardless of cultural, religious or political differences.
Dignity kits distribution by CAFOD in Sudan. Photo CAFOD
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
