Africa

Sudan in Crisis

On April 15, violence erupted in Sudan as rival factions fought for control of the country’s capital. Civilians are bearing the brunt of the fighting as it spreads across the country. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more wounded, although the real numbers are likely much higher. 

Shortages of food, water, medicines, and fuel continue, especially in Khartoum and surrounding areas, and access to electricity is limited in many parts of the country. Experts report more than two-thirds of hospitals are not able to function due to direct attacks or occupation by fighting parties.

“The fighting is [ongoing] and we can hear bullets and bombing all around us. Buildings are on fire and smoke fills the sky. People are trapped in their homes and scared about what is going to happen in the coming days. Life is paralyzed, everything is closed and food supplies are running out.

Many of the poorest people [already] don’t have [enough] food, they buy whatever little they can afford each day – and now they can’t even do that. Already critical levels of hunger in the country are now set to get even worse. Millions of people will need aid.” – Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief Sudan Country Director

According to the UN, about 100,000 people have fled Sudan to neighboring countries, with more than 42,000 Sudanese crossing into Egypt. The current situation has only exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian aid workers are among those killed and many aid agency offices have been looted, forcing the suspension of vital humanitarian work. Due to instability, we’re limited in our capacity to respond immediately. However, once the situation on the ground has stabilized, banks have resumed operations, and our teams have evaluated the emergency response needed, donations made to the Sudan Humanitarian Aid fund will be used to support aid efforts.

East Africa Emergency

The threat of famine looms over countries across East Africa including Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia as conflict and climate induced drought have left nearly 20.5 million people without food. Over 8.9 million livestock, a main source of food and livelihood for farming communities across the region, have perished. The struggle to find food and water has forced hundreds of thousands of people across the region to migrate in order to survive, further escalating the crisis. The impact of the war in Ukraine is also a particular cause for concern as food prices continue to soar, and 90% of the wheat, a staple in the region’s diet, comes from either Russia or Ukraine.

Islamic Relief is on the ground across Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia focusing on interventions similar to those in 2011 including food security and access to clean water and sanitation. Through efforts like financial assistance programs; provision of water and hygiene kits; and construction of sanitary facilities, it is our hope to bring dignity to our brothers and sisters across East Africa and let them know they have not been forgotten. Thanks to our supporters, we’re able to help make it possible.

Islamic Relief’s Legacy Across Africa

The Islamic Relief family has been providing emergency relief and integrated programming to families in need across Africa since 1984, starting with a call to provide humanitarian aid to Sudan. Since then, we have established a presence in 16 African countries, with field staff on the ground to address needs quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Some of our areas of focus include:

• Food aid
• Access to clean and safe water, education, and healthcare 
• Sustainable livelihood support
• Orphan care
• Enhancing resilience for vulnerable populations including internally displaced people, refugees, and host communities
• Emergency aid for natural disasters
• Women empowerment