Document
The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.
Genesis 4:10
While the world looks elsewhere, a humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented dimensions is unfolding in Sudan.
As reported by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), after years of protracted crisis Sudan was plunged into a conflict of alarming scale in mid-April 2023 when fierce fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out initially in the capital Khartoum, but quickly expanded to other areas across the country. This ongoing conflict has resulted in very high numbers of civilian casualties, extensive damage to critical infrastructure and facilities as well as large-scale displacement, with over 11 million people forced to leave their homes in search of safety within and outside Sudan. Together with the 3.8 million internally displaced persons, from past internal conflict, Sudan currently faces the largest internal displacement crisis in the world and the most significant child displacement crisis, with more than 3 million children displaced inside and outside the country.
Out of Sudan’s total population of 51 million people, an estimated 24.8 million are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. The conflict has unleashed a severe hunger crisis affecting millions of people across Sudan. According to the last Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis in June, more than 750,000 people were facing the very highest levels of food insecurity and famine conditions. In the Zamzam displacement camp famine conditions were confirmed in July, and a recent nutrition screening in Zamzam indicated worsening malnutrition, threatening the lives of thousands of children. About 34% of the children are malnourished, including 10% who are severely malnourished. Deepening food insecurity is spreading to other conflict-affected areas, and now nearly one in three people in Sudan is acutely food insecure. Moreover, the already-fragile health system is in tatters, with looming disease outbreaks, including an alarming cholera outbreak, as well as dengue fever, measles and malaria.
Women and girls continue to be at the centre of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Displacement and hunger put them at increased risk of gender-based violence and sexual violence, exploitation and abuse – which have become terrible hallmarks of this conflict.
Meanwhile the fighting between the SAF and the RSF continues unabated, unchecked by any meaningful intervention by the international community, and actually encouraged by some States through the provision of arms to the combatants.
Most recently, since 20 October a new wave of RSF attacks on over 30 villages and towns in parts of Aj Jazirah State left at least 124 dead. Multiple girls, as young as 13 years old, have been subjected to rape and sexual assault, and children have been detained by combatants.
The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), meeting in Cyprus on 21-26 November 2024, denounces all such atrocities, the continued fighting, the involvement of some States in sustaining the conflict, and the failure of international bodies to address this situation, as unconscionable and outrageous.
We recall the international ecumenical delegation visit to Sudan in April 2024 and affirm it as an important expression of solidarity with the suffering churches and people of Sudan. We underscore the messages received from representatives of the churches and displaced people during that visit with regard to the depth of suffering resulting from the conflict, the grievous toll of sexual violence against women, the trauma and other impacts on children, the unmet needs of refugees and forcibly displaced people, the special security challenges in areas under control of the RSF, and the urgent need for peace and for humanitarian assistance. We acknowledge their call for the WCC to advocate for Sudan, to provide financial and material assistance, and to facilitate post-war reconciliation and healing.
Indeed, as an international ecumenical community we must do much more to advocate with our governments and in our communities for solidarity and assistance to the people of Sudan, including the churches, many of whose leaders and members have been displaced by the violence. We affirm the important potential of interfaith leadership for peace in this context.
The WCC Executive Committee:
Demands an end to the violence, and for all combatants to cease fire, ensure unfettered humanitarian access to conflict-affected communities, and to refrain from attacks on civilians, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse, and other war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Denounces the provision of weapons and material support to the armed actors in Sudan by other States, serving only to sustain the violence and deepen the suffering of the people of Sudan.
Urgently appeals for all responsible members of the international community to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to sustain the lives of the people affected by this catastrophe, and to engage assertively for an end to the violence, for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the combatants, and for justice, democracy, good governance and sustainable peace in the country.
Encourages all efforts to support and strengthen the Sudan Council of Churches as an instrument for coordination and joint witness by the churches of Sudan, and for interfaith cooperation among Muslim and Christian leaders as they work together for peace, justice and reconciliation in Sudan.
Proposes the establishment – in cooperation with ACT Alliance and other key partners – of a new international ecumenical network or forum to accompany the churches and people of Sudan in their search for peace and for justice, and as they rebuild their shattered lives and livelihoods.
Urges all WCC member churches and ecumenical and interfaith partners to pray, speak and act for peace and justice for the people of Sudan.
