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On July 9, 2011, Sudan split to form two nations: Sudan and South Sudan. While decades of civil war have ended, unresolved conflicts persist in Sudan’s border areas. Due to the loss of oil revenues, Sudan is now also in an economic crisis.

At the same time, in Darfur, the conflict continues and the region remains the scene of one of the largest humanitarian operations in the world.

One positive development is that in areas where there is some stability, the number of returning refugees and IDPs is increasing. These families need support to rebuild their lives.

Caritas Sudan, also known as Sudanaid, was founded in 1972. It has played a major role in emergency aid, social assistance and development in a country where extreme poverty affects 8 out of 10 people. The national office is not yet operational.

However, Caritas Internationalis continues to carry out relief and development work through the dioceses of El Obeid and Khartoum and its programs in Darfur.

War broke out in the Darfur region in 2003. This remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises of the last decade. Today, as many as 3.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps where they receive food aid.

Life is difficult in the camps, but families receive medical care, food, water and other essentials, all funded through Caritas and the ACT Alliance of Protestant and Orthodox church organizations. The goal of this unique ecumenical coalition is to provide vital services to communities and help people become more self-sufficient.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS is a U.S.-based Caritas member) is also currently serving over 600,000 people in Khartoum and Darfur.