AFRICA/SUDAN - "The war in Sudan receives little attention, but the suffering it causes is no less"

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - "I was saddened to hear about the recent developments in the military offensive in El Fasher and Khartoum, which targeted civilian homes, hospitals and places of worship. The conflict, which has already lasted over 17 months, has created a humanitarian catastrophe that can no longer be ignored," said Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster, Lead Bishop for Africa for the Bishops’ Conference. Bishop Swarbrick wonders why a conflict as bloody as that in Sudan is virtually ignored by the international media. "It is obvious that the tragedy in Sudan receives less attention from world media than other conflicts around the world even though the violence and suffering is colossal", said the Bishop of Lancaster. "This is perhaps because it is considered less likely to escalate beyond the region and less likely to affect the global security situation. It is perhaps even considered a global ‘back-water’. However, the suffering of so many millions should be considered a global tragedy".
According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the war, which has been ongoing since April 2023, has displaced more than 10 million people from their homes. Some 25 million Sudanese are malnourished, 14 million of them suffer from acute hunger and 1.5 million of them are at risk of starvation or starvation. In the face of this tragedy, Bishop Swarbrick recalls that “the Church has more than a purely humanitarian concern”. “Of course, we should pray and work strenuously for peace. The Church exists on the ground at the heart of this unending tragedy. It makes present a loving Saviour who refuses to abandon those who suffer most and brings a hope for healing that world powers alone cannot give. Christ’s suffering is never in vain. He never loses sight of those whose needs are greatest.” The Bishop therefore calls on the faithful to pray and to raise awareness of the drama in Sudan: "I ask everyone to pray for Sudan, for the warring parties to lay down their weapons and prioritise peace so that humanitarian aid can reach those in desperate need. By uniting in prayer and raising awareness of the war in Sudan within our communities and to our political authorities, we can all do our bit to help, to restore hope to those currently enduring unimaginable hardships". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 17/10/2024)

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