SUDAN - Worst Humanitarian Crisis
Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarm over the crisis in Sudan, warning the conflict has created “one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.”
“It is truly the stuff of nightmares,” said Edem Wosronu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). “In Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan—which are home to 90% of people facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity—there has been no respite from the fierce fighting for 340 days.”
“Now, as the conflict rages on, Sudan is on course to become the world’s worst hunger crisis. Already, 18 million people—more than one third of the country’s population—are facing acute food insecurity.”
“Hostilities have resulted in extensive damage, looting and widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, including food and nutrition manufacturing facilities—once the pride of Sudan,” said Wosronu.
As fighting continues between the warring parties, at least 14,000 people have been killed according to verified figures. However, local groups warn that the toll is likely to be much higher as the true scale of the conflict continues to be uncovered.
Both warring parties have been found to have restricted ‘delivery, access and distribution’ of humanitarian aid since the conflict broke out in April 15, 2023, and the World Food Program (WFP) says it has been unable to get sufficient emergency assistance to communities in need due to “relentless violence and interference by the warring parties.”
“We cannot explain in greater terms the catastrophic situation,” said Wosronu. “And we cannot underscore more the need for Council action.”
-abcnews.go.com, 21 March 2024
Arno's Commentary
With a population of over 50 million, the tragedy of this nation seems immeasurable. The CIA Factbook states that 46.5% of its population is below the poverty line, and that was estimated in 2009. Civil war is one of the major culprits contributing to this national catastrophe.
Life expectancy is only 67.5 years. Under religion, it reads: “Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority.” To alleviate the catastrophe seems to require international intervention. But history has shown that intervention often does more harm than good. Think of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and others.
As individual believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to pray intensely for this “small Christian minority.” May our Lord grant that their lives will affect those who are still in darkness.
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
