For more than three years, the people of Sudan have endured a devastating humanitarian crisis, one driven by a violent conflict that has no end in sight.
Today, millions of people in Sudan are living without access to basic necessities. The healthcare system has collapsed. There is chronic food insecurity. Women and girls face rising risks of violence and exploitation.
This is the world’s most urgent humanitarian emergency, underreported by Western media, and with a response effort that has been massively underfunded by the international community.
A mother’s story of survival
Nadia* agreed to share her story with us. It is a powerful reminder of what life looks like for families forced to flee everything.
When violence reached their community, Nadia and her children were forced from their home.
“We headed to the mountains and stayed there for a long time. After much exhaustion and hardship, I and my 10 children were able to leave and come to Kosti.”
For a long time, they lived in a crowded market, with no stability or protection. Eventually, they were relocated to Goz Al Salam camp, but life there brought new challenges.
“My husband has been missing for a year and now we are trying to make a living… sometimes we can’t make some money. The biggest challenge I face here in this camp is covering the costs of my children’s needs.”
Life inside the camp
When Nadia arrived at the camp, basic conditions were unsafe and unsanitary.
“We were faced with open defecation. We prevented people from doing so, cleaning up human waste around the camp, and conducted night patrols to prevent people from defecating in the open.”
Access to clean water was also a daily struggle, putting families at risk of disease.
But through the work of Caritas Australia’s partner, CAFOD, conditions began to improve.
Safe sanitation facilities were built.
Access to clean water was restored through regular water deliveries.
Health risks were reduced, protecting children and families.
“We were…suffering from a lack of water. But after CAFOD’s intervention, the problem was solved. A water tanker arrives every two days. Thank God.”
What families in Sudan need right now
Right now, families like Nadia’s urgently need:
Clean water to prevent disease.
Food to survive ongoing shortages.
Essential medicines and healthcare.
Protection for vulnerable women and children.
Without support, these needs remain out of reach. But as the end of the financial year approaches, there is a critical opportunity to act.
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We leave the last word to Nadia:
“We don’t know what will happen to us in the future. We trust in God, but we hope that the war will stop and that we can return to our homes and normal lives.”
*Name changed to protect the privacy of participants.
