News & Updates
Check out the latest from Sudan and our movement
Sudan Crisis - What You Need To Know
Trying to make sense of the war in Sudan? We’ll get you up to speed in just a few minutes.
This guide is for those trying to learn more about the emergency in Sudan. We regularly update this page with relevant information. The last update was April 1, 2025.
The best way to stay updated about Sudan is to sign up for our free email list. You can also discover ways to help at the end of this guide.
Background
Sudan is a beautiful country in northeast Africa, just south of Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea. Sitting at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, Sudan is one of the more culturally and ethnically diverse countries in the world. Over 50 million people live here and it is the third largest country in Africa by area.
A brutal war broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the national army and a renegade paramilitary force:
The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) - the country’s official military that includes the army, air force, and navy.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - a regional paramilitary group created by a previous military regime.
Several intelligence units, police forces, and local militias have taken sides in the conflict as well. Some of Sudan’s rebel groups from previous wars have too, while others are trying to remain neutral and are defending their own territory and people groups. Additionally, the RSF hires a minimal number of mercenaries from across the Sahel and forces foreign nationals in Sudan into joining the paramilitary group.
Gunfire between the two sides erupted in Khartoum on April 15, 2023. Both sides failed to decapitate each others’ leadership and extreme warfare quickly spread across the country.
Why are SAF and RSF fighting?
SAF and RSF used to be allies, but that changed after they overthrew a civilian reform government in October 2021. RSF commander Mohamed Dagalo (aka Hemeti) sees himself as Sudan’s rightful dictator, while SAF generals believe they are the true government. It’s important to know that the vast majority of Sudanese want a democratic civilian government —neither the SAF nor RSF— to be in charge. There are also significant ethnic dimensions in this war that should not be ignored:
SAF - Top army brass are mostly Nile Valley Arabs, representing the most elite and privileged ethnic groups in the country. The army is fairly diverse with soldiers from most parts of the country. Arab racism toward African tribes exists in SAF, which explains why army units have executed civilians on an ethnic basis as well.
RSF- Top RSF commanders and most of their fighters hail from Arab tribes in the western Darfur region. The bulk of the RSF adheres to an extremely racist, Arab-supremacist ideology stating that Darfur’s historic African tribal groups must be cleansed from the region and that all other Sudanese Arabs are inferior.
Sudan is home to the largest and most dangerous humanitarian emergency, far outpacing every other crisis in the world.
Extreme violence has gutted the capital city of Khartoum. Countless towns and villages are being destroyed. Many farmers cannot work. The economy has disintegrated and prices of basic goods are skyrocketing. Most schools are closed.
This is just as much a war on the Sudanese people as it is a conflict between the army and RSF. The RSF is targeting ethnic African minorities for extermination and SAF is blocking aid access to large swaths of the country. War crimes are being committed en masse by both sides. The results are horrifying:
No one knows the true death toll, but a moderate estimate based on available data suggests more than 150,000 civilians have already perished from violence and hunger.
Nearly 30 million Sudanese — over half of the entire country— are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. It is estimated that 8.7 million Sudanese have descended into near-famine or famine conditions.
Roughly 15 million people have been forced to flee their homes or have left Sudan as refugees. That’s nearly one in three of all Sudanese.
Over 80% of the country’s healthcare system is offline. Preventable and treatable diseases are spreading quickly.
19 million children have no classroom to attend as 90% of schools are closed. This is the largest childhood education crisis in the world.
The state of the war right now
Today, SAF and its allies control the north and east of the country and parts of central and southern Sudan, while also maintaining a foothold in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher. The RSF controls almost all of western Sudan and parts of central and southern Sudan.
SAF and their allies have launched multiple counteroffensives the past few months, reclaiming Khartoum and additional territory amidst heavy fighting in south central Sudan. The frontlines shifting in favor of the army likely won’t see much improvement in living conditions, although not being under the terror of RSF rule is being broadly welcomed in communities the army is capturing. Neither SAF nor the RSF can achieve a decisive victory anytime soon, and it is the Sudanese people who are bearing the heaviest burdens.
The below map shows approximate areas of control in Sudan as of March 31, 2025. If you’ve been tracking the war with us for some time now, then you can see just how much the RSF is faltering, especially in central and south-central Sudan.
Map: l.r. stands for local resistance, with both of those armed groups having spent much of this war defending their territory and ethnic minority populations against the army and RSF. Click or tap to expand. (source)
What are world leaders doing to stop the war?
Most world leaders have chosen to ignore the catastrophe unfolding in Sudan. The few diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have failed. International aid efforts are only 10% funded for all of 2025, meaning acute hunger is even being felt in the refugee camps outside of Sudan —where it is much easier to get aid in— simply because there is not enough attention.
To make matters worse, the recent chaos the Trump Administration has inflicted on USAID —one of the largest providers of lifesaving food relief in Sudan— has resulted in the reported closure of over 75% of Sudanese-run emergency food kitchens, threatening to push more areas of the country into full-blown famine. Meanwhile, some countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Russia are making the crisis worse by funneling weapons and resources to either SAF or the RSF.
Ordinary Sudanese across the country are still struggling to help their neighbors survive by keeping public kitchens open for the hungry. The international community could and should be doing much more to support the Sudanese people directly, including throwing its full weight behind Sudanese citizen initiatives to pull their country back from the brink of failed statehood.
March 2025 Generosity
Our supporters gave $22,345 to Sudanese heroes, including aid workers, teachers, and healthcare professionals. This money is being used right now to save and change lives.
MEET OUR PARTNERS ➡
What can I do to help?
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. For over a decade, we've allied people just like you with incredible Sudanese heroes on the ground. Here are just a few ways your generosity can help these brave people save and change lives in the days ahead.
$1,000 - Fully funds one classroom at Endure Primary School in Yida Refugee Camp for half a semester.
$500 - Delivers food to Darfuri genocide survivors who have fled to South Sudan.
$250 - Provides a daily breakfast to 10 children for an entire month in Adré refugee camp, where many Darfuri genocide survivors now live.
$100 - Supports the monthly work of a sexual assault counselor in Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, Sudan.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900.
Join Miles For Sudan | Donate Stock or Crypto
Operation Broken Silence is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN is 80-0671198. Your donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
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How is this not the biggest story in the world right now‽ https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/sudan-crisis-2024-what-you-need-to-know
It’s not in the news, but the world’s largest humanitarian emergency is unfolding in Sudan. I found this informative guide to be really helpful in understanding the situation: https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/sudan-crisis-2024-what-you-need-to-know
Sudan is home to the largest and most dangerous humanitarian emergency, far outpacing every other crisis in the world. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/sudan-crisis-2024-what-you-need-to-know
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. For over a decade, we've allied people just like you with incredible Sudanese heroes on the ground. Will you join us? https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/sudan-crisis-2024-what-you-need-to-know
Meeting with Congressman Steve Cohen concerning the future of USAID
Expressing our strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s cuts to foreign assistance.
Congressman Steve Cohen (official portrait)
We joined fellow nonprofit and faith leaders in Memphis, TN on March 17 for an in-person meeting with Congressman Steve Cohen. The purpose was to express our opposition to the Trump Administration’s illegal closure of USAID and cuts to foreign assistance.
•••••
For our part, we shared with the Congressman the devastating fallout of USAID cuts in Sudan, where the world’s largest humanitarian crisis has given way to famine. Our fellow meeting attendees shared how USAID cuts are negatively impacting the countries they do important work in and care about. Following a robust discussion, we requested that Congressman Cohen:
Support effective diplomacy and international assistance, which are critical to protecting America’s national security and economic interests.
Ensure Congress has a meaningful role and voice in any review of America’s foreign assistance programs to ensure they continue to deliver for the American people.
Urge the Trump Administration to lift the current stop-work order and resume the disbursement of Congressionally appropriated foreign assistance funds – allowing active and ongoing programs to operate while the Administration’s review proceeds.
We appreciate the Congressman for taking an hour out of his busy schedule to hear our concerns and share his views on this important issue. This meeting was organized by our friends at the United States Global Leadership Coalition, a nonpartisan organization uniting business, military, faith, and political leaders to strengthen U.S. investments in global development and diplomacy. Our Executive Director Mark Hackett serves on one of USGLC’s Advisory Committees.
Sudan Crisis Guide
Trying to make sense of the war in Sudan? We’ll get you up to speed in just a few minutes.
Why does this matter?
Chaos from the Trump Administration’s attempted illegal closure of USAID —one of the largest providers of lifesaving food relief in Sudan— continues to plague international efforts to combat famine and preventable disease outbreaks in the country. Last year, Americans provided nearly 50% of all humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people, much of it delivered in sacks and boxes stamped with the USAID logo and the warm words: From the American People.
A portion of this aid was being delivered through 1,400+ Sudanese-run emergency food kitchens, over 60% of which are now closed after losing support.
In recent weeks, some organizations receiving USAID support were granted waivers by the U.S. government to continue providing life-saving services—only to later discover that the Trump Administration had reversed course and terminated their programs. Some of these terminations were then overturned yet again. This erratic and completely inefficient decision-making in Washington has left humanitarians around the world uncertain about when, if, or how they will receive USAID support.
Operation Broken Silence does not receive USAID funding; we rely entirely on individuals, families, and private institutions. Like many small nonprofits operating in countries where USAID has a presence, we do benefit indirectly from the broader humanitarian and economic stability the agency can help create. Humanitarian work is incredibly complex and requires a network of organizations working alongside local heroes to tackle difficult challenges. No single group can do it all; but, when a powerhouse like USAID is suddenly removed from an already difficult situation, everyone feels the pain.
It is estimated that if USAID funding does not fully resume in the next few months, at least 1.8 million more Sudanese will be at high risk of descending into famine. Over 600,000 Sudanese are already in famine conditions.
Sudan’s situation has been dire for months, but it can still get much, much worse. We are already seeing a surge in deaths from starvation, preventable diseases, and the further collapse of healthcare services. The suffering of the Sudanese people is already unbearable. Abandoning them now would be unconscionable. We urge you to stand with them in this dark hour.
Get Involved
Operation Broken Silence is a nonprofit organization with over a decade of experience working alongside Sudanese heroes. Together we are making the story of Sudan known and supporting survivors as they build a renewed Sudan from the ground up.
Our Sudanese partners are overwhelmed with needs as the war spreads and hunger deepens. Your generosity will help them serve the most vulnerable in this time of tremendous need.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900.
Join Miles For Sudan | Donate Stock or Crypto
Operation Broken Silence a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Our EIN is 80-0671198.
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Operation Broken Silence recently joined fellow nonprofit and faith leaders in Memphis, TN to meet with Congressman Steve Cohen and express our strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s cuts to foreign assistance. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/meeting-with-congressman-steve-cohen-concerning-the-future-of-usaid
Last year, Americans provided nearly 50% of all humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people, much of it delivered in sacks and boxes stamped with the USAID logo and the warm words: From the American People. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/meeting-with-congressman-steve-cohen-concerning-the-future-of-usaid
It is estimated that if USAID funding does not resume in the next few months, at least 1.8 million more Sudanese will be at high risk of descending into famine. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/meeting-with-congressman-steve-cohen-concerning-the-future-of-usaid
Miles For Sudan - FAQ
Learn about the global event that is helping to save and change lives in Sudan.
Our brave Sudanese partners are overwhelmed and in desperate need of more support as war and famine spread. Miles For Sudan is our invitation to you to get off the sidelines and start helping them. This virtual event helps runners, walkers, and cyclists attach their favorite workout to a fundraising goal. You can participate from almost anywhere in the world.
How does Miles For Sudan work?
This event is very simple:
Pick a month to participate.
Select your workout type and fundraising goal.
Get moving and fundraising!
You will get a personal fundraising page that includes a video and information about this crisis. All you have to do is share it online every time you run, walk, or bike with a brief message about how many miles you put in and asking people to donate!
You’ll also unlock perks as you move toward your goal:
All participants who raise $250+ unlock a suite of virtual cooking and cocktail demos.
If you live in the United States and raise at least $500, we will mail you a t-shirt roughly 4 weeks after your fundraiser ends.
Where does the money I raise go?
It’s a three-step process from your fundraising page to lifesaving programs in Sudan:
Donations are made to your fundraising page.
The funds you raise in a given week arrive in our bank account the following Monday.
We gather up donations for an entire month. We send funds raised in bulk to our partners on the first business day of each month.
The total amount we send to our Sudanese partners is reported in our free newsletter each month. If you have a question about the emergency in Sudan or our Sudanese partners, we encourage you to check out these more detailed resources on our website.
I want to do more! What are my options?
Become a team captain! You can select the Create A Team option when registering to get started. Your people will be able to register through your team page, and every time they receive a donation to their own fundraiser, it rolls up into your team’s goal. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Do a livestream fundraiser during your spin class that participants can share online and ask others to pitch in! This is also a great option for running, yoga, HIT classes, and more.
Work with your school, running or biking club, or house of worship to get a team started.
Host an in-person event such as a 5K run and walk.
Simply start a team and ask friends and family to register.
Please contact us if you hope to do an in-person event or have already registered and need a team page started for you.
Additional Questions
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Absolutely! This is a global event and you can run, cycle, or walk from wherever you call home. There are a few exceptions as outlined by U.S law.
Your fundraising page automatically accepts 150+ currencies from around the world, which means most people can give in their local currency.
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That’s entirely up to you, but we recommend aiming for at least $250. You’ll set your fundraising goal when you register.
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You can use your Apple Watch, Fitbit, or favorite exercise app to track your miles! We also have a printable tracker we’ll email you when you sign up if you prefer that.
Your fundraising page tracks your progress for you by updating in real-time every time a donation is made.
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Absolutely! If you prefer giving your full goal amount instead of fundraising that is okay. Just go through the registration process and then donate to your own page.
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Check out our Fundraising Assets if you haven't yet! If you are still struggling after using these tools, please reach out to us at info@operationbrokensilence.org. Our team is here to help!
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You have no obligation to reach your goal. Every mile you knock out and dollar you raise will still help Sudanese teachers, healthcare professionals, and aid workers.
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Our years of experience have taught us this is the best way to do things, for three reasons:
It helps our Sudanese partners plan and spend the funds you raise more wisely, since they know how much money they have to work with for a month. They prefer we send funds this way.
It reduces banking fees by 75%, which means our partners get even more of the money we send them. Every penny counts when you're saving and changing lives.
It streamlines our accounting, gifting our staff extra time to focus more on fundraising, educating, and planning.
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Participants who raise $500+ and live in the United States get a free shirt! Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after your fundraiser ends for delivery. If your shirt hasn’t arived by then, shoot us a quick messge at info@operationbrokensilence.org
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Unfortunately we are unable to ship outside of the United States at this time.
Still need help? Drop us a quick message here and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
War in Sudan shifts in favor of army
The last few months of heavy fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seen battlefield conditions turn in favor of the army.
The last few months of heavy fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seen battlefield conditions turn in favor of the army.
•••••
Sudan Crisis Guide
Trying to make sense of the war in Sudan? We’ll get you up to speed in just a few minutes.
February has witnessed a number of important military and political developments on the ground in Sudan. While the conflict appears to be far from over, it is apparent the army now has the upper hand.
A quick recap for those who are new to this situation. Since April 2023, Sudan has been ravaged by war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These former allies ousted the country’s transitional civilian government in 2019 and have craved control of a nation that wants neither in charge ever since.
This senseless war has made Sudan ground zero for the largest hunger, displacement, and childhood education crises in the world. The capital city of Khartoum and countless towns and villages are largely destroyed. Nearly 25 million people —half the country— are hungry, with famine conditions plaguing multiple areas and healthcare services largely collapsed. One in five Sudanese have fled their homes, and the U.S. government recently recognized that genocide is being committed.
The 30,000 foot view
In recent weeks, the army has deployed fresh troops and equipment that have been building up for months, launching major offensives to push the RSF out of Greater Khartoum and break its sieges on army positions in central and south-central Sudan. The fighting has been intense and, for the most part, the army is beating back the RSF or the paramilitary force is retreating in the face of certain losses.
The below map shows approximate areas of control in Sudan as of February 25, 2025. If you’ve been tracking the war with us for some time now, then you can see just how much the RSF is faltering, especially in central and south-central Sudan.
Map: l.r. stands for local resistance, with both of those armed groups having spent much of this war defending their territory and ethnic minority populations against the army and RSF. Click or tap to expand. (source)
Army breaks siege on El-Obeid
In December, the army slowly advanced toward Umm Ruwaba in central Sudan before taking the city in late January and expanding into the surrounding areas. Over the past several days army forces advanced on El-Obied, the capital of North Kordofan State that has been under siege by the RSF for nearly two years, before taking the city on February 23.
Militarily, the army capturing El-Obied opens a critical road between the states of North Kordofan and White Nile, leaving the army in a much better position to continue pushing west toward En-Nahud, where another army garrison is holding out under RSF siege. Humanitarian conditions in El-Obied are poor due to the lengthy RSF siege blocking critical aid from getting in. The army is reportedly restricting civilian movements in El Obied, but hopefully aid can begin reaching the city in the coming days and weeks as the army solidifies control over the surrounding areas.
If the army does manage to continue advancing west and capture En-Nahud, they will have a second gateway to strike into main RSF strongholds in the western Darfur provinces. The RSF has controlled most all of western Sudan since the early days of the war, with the exception of El Fasher and more recently parts of North Darfur.
Army seizes Bahri and threatens to encircle Khartoum proper
It now seems only a matter of time before the RSF loses its grip on Sudan’s battered and starving capital city. The army steamrolled through the rest of Bahri (Khartoum North) in mid-February, bringing relief to army units in the Kober enclave that have been under siege since the beginning of the war.
Map by Operation Broken Silence. Click or tap to expand.
Bahri was already significantly damaged during the last five months of fighting and shelling, and even more buildings and homes were destroyed during the army advance. What is left of an economy here is more or less the black market and there are essentially no basic services, meaning many former residents who fled throughout the war likely will not be returning anytime soon.
The army is now pushing forward on multiple fronts in the Greater Khartoum area (see our map). East Nile, a northeastern suburb of Khartoum, seems to be the army’s immediate target. RSF units are already stretched thin in the area. East Nile is still relatively populated as fighting there has been very limited and many residents are unable to leave due to a lack of finances. Even a minor exchange of fire between the army and RSF here could be devastating for inhabitants as they have nowhere to flee.
The army is also making gains further south (outside of our map’s view), seemingly to encircle Khartoum and trap remaining RSF forces. Right now the RSF does not have the manpower or resources to break any sort of encirclement, especially considering how heavy the army’s presence in the area now is. Large parts of Khartoum have depopulated over the last nearly two years; however, due to urban density, whenever the army does invade, fighting will likely be brutal and block-by-block unless RSF forces surrender. When Khartoum does fall to the army, it will be a significant strategic and symbolic victory for the force.
What does all this mean for Sudan’s besieged citizenry?
This brief update does not cover all the recent frontline developments. Chaos continues to plague North Darfur as the Joint Forces —an army ally— battle the RSF. Meanwhile, the RSF has continued its brutal siege of El Fasher and nearby Zamzam Displacement Camp, where an estimated two million people face extreme violence and famine. And a thawing of relations between RSF leaders and the SPLM-N in the southern Nuba Mountains (see our first map) may lead to renewed fighting between the army and SPLM-N in South Kordofan.
The bottom line is that the Sudanese people continue to bear the brunt of this war and famine. The frontlines shifting in favor of the army likely won’t see much improvement in living conditions, although not being under the terror of RSF rule is being broadly welcomed in communities the army is capturing. To make matters worse, the recent chaos the Trump Administration has inflicted on USAID —one of the largest providers of lifesaving food relief in Sudan— has resulted in the reported closure of over 70% of Sudanese-run emergency food kitchens, threatening to push more areas of the country into full-blown famine.
Still, the army are neither angels nor capable of providing anything close to good governance. Army soldiers and their militia allies have committed reprisal killings along ethnic lines as they advance into new areas, and the RSF tends to rampage on defenseless communities in the wake of battlefield losses. Humanitarian aid is still being blocked in large parts of the country, including to some areas under army control. Regardless of whether the army or RSF have the momentum on the battlefield, both sides are still waging a war on the Sudanese people.
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. Our Sudanese partners are overwhelmed with needs as war and hunger spread. By joining Miles For Sudan or giving below, you will help them serve the most vulnerable in this time of tremendous need.
$1,000 - Fully funds one classroom at Endure Primary School in Yida Refugee Camp for half a semester.
$500 - Delivers food to Darfuri genocide survivors who have fled to South Sudan.
$250 - Provides a daily breakfast to 10 children for an entire month in Adré refugee camp, where many Darfuri genocide survivors now live.
$100 - Supports the monthly work of a sexual assault counselor in Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, Sudan.
$50 - Helps bring school supplies to students in Yida Refugee Camp.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900. You can also donate stock or crypto.
Operation Broken Silence a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Our EIN is 80-0671198.
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The last few months of heavy fighting in Sudan have seen battlefield conditions turn in favor of the army. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/war-in-sudan-shifts-in-favor-of-army
Since April 2023, Sudan has been ravaged by war between the army and Rapid Support Forces. The former allies ousted Sudan's transitional civilian government in 2019 and have been fighting for control of a nation that wants neither in charge ever since. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/war-in-sudan-shifts-in-favor-of-army
In recent weeks, the army has deployed fresh troops and equipment that have been building up for months, launching major offensives to push the RSF out of Greater Khartoum and break its sieges on army positions in central and south-central Sudan. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/war-in-sudan-shifts-in-favor-of-army
The army steamrolled through the rest of Bahri (Khartoum North) in mid-February, bringing relief to army units in the Kober enclave that have been under siege since the beginning of the war. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/war-in-sudan-shifts-in-favor-of-army
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. Will you join us? https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/war-in-sudan-shifts-in-favor-of-army
Chaos inflicted on USAID intensifies famine in Sudan
One of the leading international development agencies has been vital in combating Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. Now, turmoil in Washington threatens its lifesaving work.
USAID, one of the leading international development agencies, has been vital in combating Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. Now turmoil in Washington threatens its lifesaving work.
•••••
When explosions and gunfire erupted in Greater Khartoum on April 15, 2023, Sahar knew she had to flee. “Most of the fighting at first was around government buildings and the airport,” Sahar says. “We could hear it and see the smoke a ways off and decided we had to leave before it was too late.”
A few hours later Sahar and other members of her extended family were navigating their way through military checkpoints. Had they waited any longer they likely would not have escaped. The war was spreading, fast. Sahar and many others fleeing the capital area headed northeast toward Atbara and Port Sudan. Within a matter of days, it was clear that the unfolding crisis in Sudan would be like few others in modern history. Humanitarian workers were targeted, hospitals bombed, and displacement soared. Refugees arriving in eastern Chad from Sudan’s western Darfur region spoke of barely escaping mass ethnic killing.
Today, Sahar has no idea when she will be able to return home. “All Sudanese are against this war,” she says through tears. “We want peace. We want to live or lives. I want to go home. We don’t want this.”
Sudan Crisis Guide
Trying to make sense of the war in Sudan? We’ll get you up to speed in just a few minutes.
The roots of this crisis and the American response
Sahar may have little to return to. Today, Khartoum lies in ruins, ravaged by war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—former allies who ousted Sudan’s transitional civilian government in 2019 and are now fighting for control of a nation that wants neither in charge.
Sudan is now home to the largest hunger, displacement, and childhood education crises in the world. Nearly 25 million people —half the country— are hungry, with famine already declared in multiple areas. One in five Sudanese has fled their home. The suffering is staggering, and the U.S. government recently recognized that genocide is being committed.
As Sahar was fleeing for her life almost two years ago, officials at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington D.C. were swinging into action. Agency staff coordinated with humanitarian partners, stayed in contact with local Sudanese staff, and deployed an elite Disaster Assistance Response Team to assess needs and direct incoming aid to where it was most needed.
Within weeks it was clear the crisis in Sudan was among the gravest USAID has faced in its 60+ year history. Nearly everything in Sudan has been weaponized by the army and RSF as they burn the country to the ground. Both warring sides have blocked aid and targeted humanitarian workers, and the RSF is using rape as a weapon of war on a massive scale.
Over the past 21 months, USAID and State Department staff have worked around the clock to overcome endless obstacles and pry open aid routes. Progress has been painfully slow, but aid convoys were finally beginning to reach some of the hardest-hit areas with American help. While most of the world abandoned Sudan at the outset of the war, many of the Sudanese people have found a friend in the United States. Last year, Americans provided nearly 50% of all humanitarian aid to Sudan, much of it delivered in sacks and boxes stamped with the USAID logo and the warm words: From the American People.
Mayhem in Washington now threatening lifesaving work in Sudan
On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration said it was placing a freeze on nearly all foreign aid. Chaos quickly ensued across USAID as there was little guidance on what exactly was and wasn't allowed. Was this just a temporary pause so programs could be reviewed, or something else?
Confusion quickly morphed into mayhem. As has been widely reported, a team from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) breached USAID’s secure systems without the security clearances to do so. USAID security officials who intervened to protect classified and sensitive information were placed on leave, and that was after DOGE threatened to call the US Marshalls. Staff and contractors struggled to interpret conflicting directives—the freeze being enforced and another allowing lifesaving operations to continue with a waiver, though few partners knew how to obtain one.
Meanwhile, DOGE head Elon Musk declared USAID would be shut down, posting, “We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper. Could gone to some great parties. Did that instead.” Days later, administration officials issued contradictory statements—some claiming USAID would close, others saying it would move under the State Department. Thousands of dedicated staff have already been fired or placed on forced leave.
This chaos has crippled USAID’s critical operations in Sudan. According to one former division head, the USAID staffer overseeing the humanitarian response in Sudan has been locked out of her email and key systems. But it’s the stories emerging from USAID’s mostly frozen work on the ground that range from depressing to horrifying. From ProPublica:
On Friday morning, the staffers at a half dozen U.S.-funded medical facilities in Sudan who care for severely malnourished children had a choice to make: Defy President Donald Trump’s order to immediately stop their operations or let up to 100 babies and toddlers die. They chose the children. In spite of the order, they will keep their facilities open for as long as they can, according to three people with direct knowledge of the situation. The people requested anonymity for fear that the administration might target their group for reprisals. Trump’s order also meant they would stop receiving new, previously approved funds to cover salaries, IV bags and other supplies. They said it’s a matter of days, not weeks, before they run out.
Food programs supported by USAID that have reached millions of hungry people are now shuttering. Hundreds of Sudanese-run community kitchens operating in areas too dangerous for internationals to work have already closed. In the past week alone, a shocking two-thirds of emergency kitchens in Khartoum have shut their doors. From the Washington Post:
A humanitarian worker in Sudan, who like others in this story spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation against their employer, said their organization got a stop-work order for grants covering hundreds of millions of dollars. “It means that over 8 million people in extreme levels of hunger could die of starvation,” said the aid worker. “What’s next? What do we do?”…
USAID had also provided security funds to the Emergency Response Rooms, cells of pro-democracy demonstrators that have worked to alleviate the suffering of the civil war. More than 60 of their volunteers have been killed since the conflict erupted nearly two years ago, and the young people moving food and medicine across the front lines are often arrested and abused by combatants on both sides, who suspect them of being spies. One volunteer is being hunted by a militia; another volunteer was recently tortured to try to reveal his whereabouts, according to Kuka. Normally, he said, USAID funding could help him escape; now they are trying to move him between safe houses as the militias advance. “We are saying our goodbyes,” he messaged, followed by a broken-heart emoji.
An internal report prepared by aid groups providing health services in Sudan and shared with The Post said more than half of the 10 million people targeted to receive health care probably would lose access because of the cuts. One medical group, which had treated more than 19,000 civilians, mostly women, in the past two months in Darfur, said it could no longer offer services without alternative funding. “There was no transition, just an abrupt stop,” an employee said.
An outsized impact for a small amount of money
USAID has long enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Washington. The agency makes up less than 1% of the entire federal budget —barely any money in the grand scheme of things— and has received high praise worldwide for helping to stabilize volatile areas and support communities as they climb out of poverty. Exactly what the American public thinks about foreign aid can be a bit difficult to ascertain. According to Pew Research, “For many years, Americans have had, at best, mixed views about the effectiveness and desirability of foreign assistance.”
In recent years, USAID’s role in national security has also become much clearer. Its success in countering Russian and Chinese influence through development and humanitarian work has drawn the ire of both countries, and the agency plays a key role in preventing global health threats that emerge abroad from reaching the United States. Given USAID’s outsized global impact as such a tiny amount of the federal budget and the respect it brings to the United States abroad, it’s fair to say that the development agency is a worthwhile investment, even if some reforms and tweaks would be beneficial.
It’s also important to know that only Congress has the legal authority to close USAID. This has caused more confusion about the agency’s future as DOGE’s efforts do not appear to have legal legitimacy. A lawsuit was recently filed concerning this issue and it appears the courts will have a role in deciding USAID’s future.
What happens now?
Operation Broken Silence does not receive USAID funding; we rely entirely on individuals, families, and private institutions. However, like many small nonprofits operating in countries where USAID has a presence, we benefit indirectly from the broader humanitarian and economic stability the agency can help create. Humanitarian work is incredibly complex and requires a network of organizations working alongside local heroes to tackle difficult challenges. No single group can do it all; but, when a powerhouse like USAID is suddenly removed from the situation, everyone suffers.
Sudan’s situation has been dire for months, but it can still get much, much worse. We expect to witness a surge in deaths from starvation, preventable diseases, and the further collapse of healthcare services in the coming weeks if USAID’s critical work in Sudan does not fully resume. The suffering of the Sudanese people is already unbearable. Abandoning them now would be unconscionable. We urge you to stand with them in this dark hour.
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. Our Sudanese partners are overwhelmed with needs as war and hunger spread. By joining Miles For Sudan or giving below, you will help them serve the most vulnerable in this time of tremendous need.
$1,000 - Fully funds one classroom at Endure Primary School in Yida Refugee Camp for half a semester.
$500 - Delivers food to Darfuri genocide survivors who have fled to South Sudan.
$250 - Provides a daily breakfast to 10 children for an entire month in Adré refugee camp, where many Darfuri genocide survivors now live.
$100 - Supports the monthly work of a sexual assault counselor in Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, Sudan.
$50 - Helps bring school supplies Yida to students in Yida Refugee Camp.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900. You can also donate stock or crypto.
Operation Broken Silence a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Our EIN is 80-0671198.
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USAID, one of the leading international development agencies, has been vital in combating Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. Now turmoil in Washington threatens its lifesaving work. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/chaos-inflicted-on-usaid-intensifies-famine-in-sudan
Food programs supported by USAID that have reached millions of hungry people are now shuttering. Hundreds of Sudanese-run community kitchens operating in areas too dangerous for internationals to work have already closed. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/chaos-inflicted-on-usaid-intensifies-famine-in-sudan
USAID has long enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Washington. The agency makes up less than 1% of the entire federal budget, barely any money in the grand scheme of things. https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/chaos-inflicted-on-usaid-intensifies-famine-in-sudan
Operation Broken Silence is dedicated to Sudanese communities, cultivating resilience and driving meaningful change through crowdfunded programs. Will you join us? https://operationbrokensilence.org/blog/chaos-inflicted-on-usaid-intensifies-famine-in-sudan
Miles For Sudan - 4 ways to join
The global event for runners, walkers, and cyclists helping to save lives in Sudan continues in 2025. These are the best ways to join.
The global event for runners, walkers, and cyclists helping to save and change lives in Sudan continues in 2025. These are the best ways to join.
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Our brave Sudanese partners are overwhelmed as war and famine continue spreading. We’re doing everything we can to help, but it’s nowhere near enough to meet the massive needs they face. 2025 needs to a big year of action for them. Here are four ways you can bring Miles For Sudan to your community.
Sign yourself up
Select your workout type, or to fundraise only, and how much you want to raise! Then all you have to do is share your fundraising page online at the end of each workout.
If you’ve never fundraised before, we have a suite of easy-to-use tools and resources to get you started. There are also milestone rewards:
All participants who raise $250+ get a suite of virtual cooking and cocktail demos
U.S. participants who raise $500+ get a free shirt
Become a team captain
One of the best ways to multiply your impact is to start a Miles For Sudan team and ask friends and family to register underneath it.
Each member gets their own fundraising page just like you do, and the funds you raise will build up collectively on your team page. Simply select Create a team during the sign up process to get started!
Partner with us
Want to get your school, business, place of worship, or online community involved? After you get permission, select the Create a team option when registering and name it after the place you are a part of. Your people can then register under your team or donate directly to our Sudanese partners through your page!
You can also host an in-person event such as a 5K run and more as part of Miles For Sudan! Please connect with our team if you want to pursue this option.
Become a sponsor
Finally, you can show your public support for Sudanese heroes by completing our sponsor form and making a lump sum donation. You’ll also get various forms of promotion depending on the sponsorship level you choose.
These are dark times in Sudan, but that’s all the more reason to make this a year of action. A long road and a lot of work lies ahead. Together, we can help Sudanese heroes continue saving and changing lives for the better. I hope you will join me in making Miles of Sudan a part of your story this year.
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director