Ministries Serving in Sudanese Crisis
Advice for which ministries to consider supporting in the relief efforts.
According to the U.S. State Department, Sudan is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than eight million people displaced since the most recent conflict began last April in the capital of Khartoum.
Photo via Barnabas Aid
The United Nations reports that nearly 25 million people—half of Sudan’s population—need aid, with at least one million of these being Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
The nation has been plagued by internal strife and wars since it became a republic in 1956, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2011, the state split with the southern area, comprising much of the country’s Christian population, breaking off to form the Republic of South Sudan.
Before the latest conflict began in April 2023, conditions in the country were already poor and have since worsened. Attacks have destroyed hospitals and other vital infrastructure.
When crisis hits around the world, as it has in Sudan, it is not just the government that steps in. Christians are often first in line to help. That’s a very good thing.
However, there’s a reason the Bible tells us to love God with our mind as well as our heart. At times like these, we should engage both. Below are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Sudanese relief efforts. We also have our assessment of some ministries that are raising funds to help.
The Old Rules Apply. Just because there’s a crisis, that doesn’t mean a ministry that has been poorly run suddenly becomes well-run. In fact, often a crisis causes a weak organization to break. That’s why even in the midst of crisis and urgent appeals, take an extra moment to do your homework. MinistryWatch gives ministries a Donor Confidence Score, a Financial Efficiency Rating, and a Transparency Grade. (You can search on a ministry and check their scores here.) Don’t give money to poorly rated ministries, or to ministries that do not share enough information to produce a rating.
Beware of “Matching Gifts” or “Challenge Gifts.” These sorts of giving schemes can be legitimate, but in times of crisis, they are often used to heighten the sense of urgency. Educate yourself about Challenge Gifts and Matching Gifts by clicking here.
Boots on the Ground. When crisis erupts in a far corner of the world, it is too late to establish a presence there. Ministries that are the most effective are those who have already been operating there. They have “boots on the ground”: personnel, partners, processes, and infrastructure. Give to these ministries.
Ask Where The Money Is Going. Ministries with a real plan should be able to tell you where the money is going. If the fundraising appeal doesn’t specifically say so, ask. If the ministry doesn’t respond with clear and specific answers, it’s possible it is just using the crisis opportunistically, hoping for a financial windfall.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
Ministries Involved in Sudan
Christian Aid Ministries: To help people affected by Sudan’s conflict, Christian Aid Ministries is working with trusted contacts to provide food and other aid. Their contacts request prayers for peace in this conflict-riddled nation. In the MinistryWatch database, Christian Aid Ministries has a donor confidence score of 91, meaning donors can give with confidence.
World Vision: World Vision has established mobile clinics in Blue Nile, a region of Sudan that is considered somewhat safe. The clinics provide essential and free health and nutrition services to host communities and internally displaced persons. In the MinistryWatch database, World Vision receives a donor confidence score of 84, meaning donors can give with confidence.
Barnabas Aid: The ministry that aims to “provide hope and aid for the persecuted Church, from Christians, to Christians, through Christians” has been involved in assisting Christians in Sudan for several years. Updates on its website about the conditions in Sudan date back several years. In the MinistryWatch database, it has a donor confidence score of 97, meaning donors can give with confidence.
World Relief: While World Relief is not in Sudan, it is on the ground in neighboring Chad where many refugees from Darfur have fled. It is accepting donations to “help provide food, clean water, emergency medical assistance and temporary shelter for people who are facing some of the most dire circumstances imaginable.” In the MinistryWatch database, World Relief has a donor confidence score of 87, meaning donors can give with confidence.
Samaritan’s Purse: According to its website, Samaritan’s Purse is providing emergency food and clean water for internally displaced people in South Sudan. It also provides emergency aid to refugees who have fled violence in the Nuba Mountains and other parts of Sudan. In the MinistryWatch database, Samaritan’s Purse has a donor confidence score of 58, meaning donors should give with caution.
TO OUR READERS: Do you have a story idea, or do you want to give us feedback about this or any other story? Please email us: [email protected]
