The Church of Jesus Christ Increases Help to Sudanese Refugees

Sudanese refugees seeking shelter in Chad (Photo credit: World Food Programme)

In response to the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has committed additional resources to help feed and provide core relief items to hundreds of thousands of refugees in the region.

A $4.25 million donation to the World Food Programme (WFP) will supply food rations such as cereals, oil, legumes, supplemental bars and ready-to-eat meals to those living in refugee camps in Sudan and in the bordering countries of South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Egypt. An additional $4 million will be provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide shelter and core relief items such as blankets, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and solar lamps.

Violent conflicts that began in Khartoum, Sudan, in April 2023 forced families to flee their homes and villages in search of safety. Since then, more than 4.8 million people have been displaced by the conflict, including two million children. The situation has increased an already dire food and water insecurity crisis. There is also an urgent need for shelter and health care.

These latest donations continue the Church’s commitment to provide relief to the hungry around the world. In September 2022, the Church donated $32 million to the WFP, the faith’s largest one-time contribution to a humanitarian organization. All Church humanitarian efforts are made possible by the generous donations of Latter-day Saints and friends of the faith worldwide.

“We are grateful to have the resources to support several quality organizations in their efforts to address the crisis in Sudan despite the high risks to their personal safety and the countless challenges,” said Church humanitarian specialist Steve Dobb, who coordinated the donation. “It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of our brothers and sisters there and we pray that the conflict will be resolved soon.”

This project was funded through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and LDS Charities Australia.

The Church gives around $1 billion annually to care for those in need around the world. Relief and development projects are underway in 176 countries and territories and are given without regard to race, religious affiliation or nationality. Aid is based on the core principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance and sustainability.