In recent days, the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur has come under fire. Half a million people have been displaced to the camp following the outbreak of civil war in April 2023, with a famine declared in the camp as of August.  

Up to 20,000 deaths in Sudan had been reported because of this conflict, but recent estimates show this has been severely underreported and could be closer to 150,000.  

Meanwhile, just over half of the UN’s Sudan global appeal has been funded, with a further 1.18bn required to meet life-saving needs 

Caritas Internationalis and the ACT Alliance are calling on world leaders, governments, and the UN to urgently strengthen support for Sudan, with a focus on local community groups at the frontline of the response. In a release the organisations drew attention to the humanitarian response as “chronically underfunded,” and specified that “churches, women’s organisations, youth networks and other community-based groups are the backbone of the humanitarian response in Sudan and other crisis-hit countries.” 

Earlier this year Caritas Internationalis and ACT Alliance engaged in a joint appeal to provide cash support, protection, water, and hygiene to thousands of displaced Sudanese. This includes support for local community groups and national organisations working in areas of the country where there is no UN agency presence and, in some cases, no other international NGOs.  

Christian Modino Hok, Humanitarian Director at Caritas Internationalis said, “Sudan is where the largest displacement crisis in the world continues to unfold, but still the situation in Sudan remains underreported. ACT Alliance and Caritas Internationalis are working with members and their local partners across Sudan in coordination with UN efforts and urgently need support to be able to provide lifesaving assistance. Our own joint humanitarian appeal remains critically underfunded at a time when the need to scale up this life-saving humanitarian response has never been greater.” 

Sally Thomas, Humanitarian Emergencies Lead at Caritas Australia said of the crisis, “The situation in Sudan is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, from the displacement of millions of people to severe, widespread hunger, and some unimaginable levels of violence, especially towards women and girls. It can feel overwhelming with the rest of the world in such crisis, but we are asking people to direct their compassion and generosity to Sudan where they can.” 

To support Caritas Australia’s Sudan Crisis Appeal, click the button below or call 1800 024 413 toll free.