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Catholic charity CAFOD has launched an emergency appeal to support families in Sudan, with Britain’s Ambassador to the United Nations highlighting that Sudan is in the grip of the worst hunger and displacement crisis in the world. There is a brief window to act before the growing season in Sudan starts in June, with fears of an impending – yet preventable – famine growing. Fighting between government forces and paramilitaries erupted a year ago with over eight million people fleeing their homes to escape the violence and 25 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

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 - which 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.”

Speaking last weekend, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, the UK’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council that “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.