Responding to Hunger in Darfur

Since April 2023, Sudan’s nationwide fighting has shattered markets, uprooted millions, and driven Darfur into acute food insecurity. More than 25 million people now face crisis-level hunger or worse, while civilians endure looting, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, and movement restrictions that block access to aid. Women and girls are especially at risk with conflict-related sexual violence reported as a weapon of war to terrorize communities while in transit and in overcrowded displacement sites.  

Shai Fund’s Response 

Over three months this year, Shai Fund delivered food baskets each containing one month supply of food to 400 of the most vulnerable families across Darfur.  That is 2,584 individuals fed including widows, orphans, elderly adults, people with disabilities, and female-headed households. 

Working through trusted local faith leaders, the team procured millet, rice, oil, sugar, and salt from nearby markets and moved supplies by donkey, tuk-tuk, and truck to reach insecure and remote communities. This rapid, targeted intervention: 

• Reduced acute malnutrition risks for children and older adults through food assistance into hard-to-reach areas.  
• Prioritized protection for women and girls who no longer needed to leave camp perimeters to search for food.  
• Stabilized households with predictable access to life-saving staples.
• Increased social cohesion between Christian and Muslim neighbors by providing food aid across demographics. 

Stories of Sacrifice 

Gabriel, one of the leaders who helped distribute aid, exemplified this cross-religion generosity. His family had been evacuated from a displacement camp with 40 other Christians and were registered to receive food. However, when 2,000 more families arrived without assistance, he faced an impossible choice. 

“The food would have been enough for one month for the registered families,” Gabriel said. “But it was so hard for me to give just to those families when I saw people dying all around me. People came to our shelters with plates and bowls begging for just enough food to get by for another day. So, I decided to divide the food among the most vulnerable.” 

The Work Ahead

In the midst of Sudan’s civil war, food remains one of the greatest needs. This project proved that rapid, faith-led interventions can break through crisis barriers and save lives. 

Shai Fund is committed to standing with vulnerable families in Sudan—across faiths and communities—through the hunger crisis and into recovery.