CAFOD launches emergency appeal to support ‘world’s worst crisis’ in Sudan

CAFOD has launched an emergency appeal to support families in Sudan, as Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations says that Sudan is in the grip of the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis.

With over 8 million people having fled their homes to escape violence after fighting erupted a year ago between government forces and paramilitaries, and with 25 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, CAFOD says there is a short window to act before the growing season in Sudan starts in June as fears grow of an impending – yet preventable – famine.

Jo Kitterick, CAFOD’s director of participation, said:

“Many aid agencies exited Sudan when the current fighting erupted a year ago. Right now Catholic agencies in the Caritas network that CAFOD is part of, supported by the Church of Sudan, are some of the only organisations able to deliver aid to support the Sudanese people.

"The communities we serve in Sudan have issued a desperate cry for help and we are inviting the Catholic community to stand alongside us and the local Sudanese organisations we fund in responding to their call.”

CAFOD has been working alongside communities in Sudan for over 50 years. Donations made to its Sudan Crisis Appeal – whether online or via collections in parishes this weekend – will go towards supporting families in Sudan and surrounding countries, who are already contending with extreme hunger, as communities strive to stop the crisis becoming the worst in living memory.

Speaking at the weekend, Barbara Woodward, the UK’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council that, while Sudan is in the grip of the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis, “it is not too late for Sudan to return from the brink". She urged the warring parties in Sudan to engage in political negotiations to bring about peace, and for greater access to humanitarian access to reach those most in need.

For media interviews and briefings contact:  

• Anil Ranchod: aranchod@cafod.org.uk, +44 (0)7969 984001  

• Laura Ouseley: laura.ouseley@cafod.org.uk, +44 (0)7909 875956, or  

• CAFOD out-of-hours media hotline, +44 (0)7919 301429.     

Notes to editors

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas International. Working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.

CAFOD has been working in Sudan since the 1970s supporting livelihood opportunities, particularly for smallholder farmers and women. CAFOD is on the ground in Sudan and neighbouring countries, working tirelessly alongside local partners to address urgent humanitarian needs.