Why is there famine in Sudan?
There are several contributing factors causing the Sudan famine, including war, economic disruption, a harsh climate and more. Below, we’ll briefly summarize each concern.
The ongoing Sudan conflict has destabilized the economy, negatively impacting supply and demand. For example, oil is a key export for Sudan, but the civil war has resulted in stoppages and a rupture of a key oil pipeline in an area where fighting is ongoing. The loss of revenue for the already impoverished nation has had far-reaching consequences.
Amid the violence and destruction, the Sudanese people are now grappling with serious issues like hyperinflation and currency depreciation. In several places, food prices have doubled. But the value of money has fallen by more than 100% since the start of the civil war. This makes it very difficult for the average person to afford basic necessities.
Another factor triggering the Sudan famine involves wartime strategy. Two opposing military factions maintain strongholds in different states, and they are each actively working to block food supplies from reaching their enemy. In doing so, they cause innocent Sudanese families to suffer greatly, including those in the persecuted Christian community.
Lastly, the Sudan famine has been worsened by the nation’s dry season, a period of time in which it is extremely difficult for residents to grow and cultivate their own food. Throughout the year, the Sudanese people may endure difficult conditions including prolonged drought, monsoon rains and flooding. Combined, these issues result in extreme food scarcity—leaving millions of people on the brink of starvation as the famine spreads.
About the Sudan conflict
The Sudan conflict broke out when two rival factions of the military became locked in a violent, ongoing battle for power and economic resources. Destabilizing the nation, the Sudan civil war has resulted in widespread death, destruction and displacement.
Currently, an estimated 10 million people are internally displaced in Sudan, including many persecuted Christians. In addition, a further 2.1 million people are displaced outside the country. The fighting has yielded a few troubling statistics:
• One out of every eight internally displaced persons in the world is Sudanese.
• More children have been displaced from their homes in Sudan than anywhere else across the globe.
• An estimated 15,000 people have been killed and 33,000 have been injured during the Sudan conflict.
These numbers may increase as the war rages on with no foreseeable end in sight.
What caused the Sudan civil war?
The Sudan conflict officially began on April 15, 2023 in the capital city of Khartoum. Several months prior, a December 2022 deal intended to transition Sudan into a civilian-led government over a two-year period. The deal included plans to integrate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, into the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF); the two factions previously shared power after staging a coup in Sudan, according to Reuters.
Integration disagreements led to tensions between the two factions, which delayed the governmental transition and ultimately erupted in violence on April 15, as both sides accused the other of striking first.
Today, the prolonged civil war has stretched on for over a year and a half, with no signs of a resolution. Attempted negotiations between the two fighting factions are ongoing as the general populace longs for the restoration of peace, law and order. Some are questioning Sudan’s ability to transition to a democratic government as the conflict drags on.
In a July 2024 press statement from the U.S. Secretary of State, the United States invited the warring military factions to participate in ceasefire talks mediated in Switzerland, in an effort to facilitate much needed humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) did not attend in person.
About persecuted Christians in Sudan
Over the past year, Global Christian Relief has drawn attention to several stories of Christian persecution in Sudan. Among a Muslim-majority population of 48 million people, only 5% of the populace identifies as Christian, and these individuals often face increased vulnerability during times of conflict.
According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the civil war in Sudan has negatively impacted religious communities in particular. Over 150 churches have been damaged, looted or destroyed since the war first broke out in April 2023.
During this period of upheaval, militants have purposefully targeted houses of worship with the intention to loot and steal resources. For example, armed men recently stormed a Sudanese church and shot four believers, including a church leader and his son, as well as security personnel. They then proceeded to take church property by force.
How is the Sudan famine impacting Christians?
Due to religious discrimination, minority Christians in Sudan may be last in line for humanitarian aid. This prejudice leaves communities of faith struggling to survive amid difficult conditions like war and famine. We invite our readers to hear first-hand reports from Sudanese believers who are experiencing extreme food scarcity.
• Layla, a sister in Christ from the hard-hit region of Darfur, shares the following update for you through our team members on the ground in Sudan:
“Dear brothers and sisters, life has become unbearably hard. The situation is unpredictable. People are dying, and markets have been destroyed. We have many families who are suffering greatly. If you can provide even a small amount to help us buy food and medicine, it would be greatly appreciated.”
• Salma, a displaced believer in Sudan, describes her heartbreaking testimony about refugee camps running out of supplies:
“Thousands are homeless. No humanitarian aid is reaching us. The situation has intensified, and believers are suffering. They are dying from hunger and lack of medicine. The controlling forces have made life difficult. I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to help.”
• Fatima, a persecuted Sudanese Christian living in a refugee camp, discusses the challenges of simply attending worship services with her children in a Muslim-majority nation:
“My [Muslim] husband assaulted me. He said, ‘Next time, I will kill you if you do not stop attending this church.’ But I was not intimidated. I responded, ‘Even if you kill me, my spirit will go to God, because you have only killed the physical body.'”
• Abbas, a persecuted Christian convert and former Muslim from Darfur, provides this harrowing update:
“After my family learned that I became a Christian, they threatened to chop my head off if I refused to denounce my faith. Our church was raided and lost everything. Pray that God will provide me with food and shelter as I live as a refugee.”
• Suliman, another persecuted convert from Darfur, says his family is struggling amid the Sudan famine and civil war:
“My family and I live in daily fear of the radical groups assisting both [warring] parties. Pray for a proper place to live. Pray for food and rations as we seek safety.”
How to help the Sudan famine
Are you wondering how you can make a difference during the Sudan famine? A gift to a humanitarian aid organization is one of the most impactful ways that you can help the desperate Sudanese people as they struggle to navigate increasing levels of food scarcity.
Global Christian Relief and our partners on the ground have a special opportunity to provide famine relief kits to 600 hungry Christian families in Sudan. This relief project will assist people located in the region of Darfur. Each suffering family will receive an emergency food aid package consisting of shelf-stable essentials, such as rice, beans, flour, sorghum grain, nuts, oil, salt, tea, and sugar.
Darfur is widely known for its food insecurity, malnourishment and massive human rights abuses against the civilian population. Your charitable contribution will support local church pastors as they distribute desperately-needed food aid to their community while discipling and praying with hard-hit Christians in the region.
A prayer for persecuted Christians in Sudan
Heavenly Father, we lift up the Sudan famine to you now. We intercede for those who are suffering from food scarcity—in particular our Sudanese brothers & sisters in Christ. Please meet their urgent needs for food, water, medicine and shelter. May the global community swiftly respond to the cries of our persecuted family and not turn a blind eye to this growing humanitarian crisis.
Lord, lead the warring parties to stop fighting, and cause peace to sweep over Sudan. We pray for the government to become civilian-led through fair and impartial elections which represent the voice of the people, yielding economic stability and prosperity for years to come. Amen.
About The Author
Abigail Hart serves on the communications team at Global Christian Relief. She shares stories to increase awareness of Christian persecution around the globe. Abigail invites you to read the latest persecution stories now by visiting the GCR blog.
