Ministry has been disrupted, and lives are at stake as Sudan experiences heavy fighting that has devastated its capital and other areas.
At the beginning of April, Ibrahim* was planning ways to expand the mobilisation and church planting efforts he and other Sudanese nationals have started, with a vision to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers multiply into all 18 governorates of Sudan.
Now his main concern is staying alive.
Heavy fighting broke out in Sudan on 15 April 2023, and the escalating conflict between rivalling military forces in the country has already claimed more than 400 lives and injured upwards of 3,500, according to the World Health Organization**. Citizens sheltering in place where the fighting is intense, including the areas of Khartoum, Omdurman, Nyala (Dafur) and Al-Obeid, are experiencing an extremely critical situation due to the fighting and life-threatening lack of access to basic necessities.
“The biggest problem is the lack of food and water,” Ibrahim emphasised. “Looting continues both in markets and in homes. Hospitals are closed because they don’t have electricity, medicines and medical staff.”
OM has more than 100 Sudanese team members throughout the country who are affected by this crisis.
“The situation in Khartoum and Omdurman is getting worse every day. There is no food and water. Lots of looting. If this continues for three more days, people will start to die of hunger,” Ibrahim said. “Pray urgently that God intervenes.”
OM team members in Sudan rely on a variety of small businesses to provide income for their families. However, the conflict has suspended many opportunities to work—at the same time that prices for basic necessities are skyrocketing.
“The Sudanese people are really suffering,” Ibrahim shared. “Most live anyhow day by day. They don’t have any savings.”
“I am very concerned about the safety of our team in Sudan,” said Tom*, the leader of OM’s work in the Middle East and North Africa. “Let us urgently lift up our Sudanese sisters and brothers in earnest prayer before the Lord. And let us do whatever we can to support them.”
- Pray for the safety of citizens affected by this crisis, including OM’s team members and their families. Pray for those in the most intense areas of fighting to be able to relocate to another part of the country.
- Pray for provision of basic needs, such as drinking water and food.
- Pray for Sudan’s leaders and international peacemakers to end this crisis and prevent further humanitarian suffering.
- Pray for the fighting to stop immediately and for lasting peace in Sudan.
*name changed
**Statistics reported on Friday, 21 April 2023.