Reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead
Friends and supporters,
There is much to consider as another year comes to a close; but, first, I want to express my gratitude and pass along a warm thank you from our Sudanese partners. Thank you for standing with us through another difficult year. Here are just a few highlights:
Childhood Education in Yida Refugee Camp. Attendance at the Endure Primary and Renewal Secondary Schools in Yida Refugee Camp climbed to 838 students by year’s end. 68 primary students and 72 secondary students recently took their national exams, with results expected in late January. Another 200 Nuba students from other schools in Yida received testing prep support from our schools as well.
Healthcare and food relief in Adré refugee camps. Many survivors of war crimes in Darfur have fled into the border town of Adré in eastern Chad. With the help of a small, but growing group of generous donors, you helped fund local Darfuri healthcare workers who are running a daily children’s feeding program that provides breakfast to over 600 children and a medical clinic serving over 150 of the most vulnerable people every day.
Miles For Sudan. 58 of you have already signed up for our global campaign that helps runners, walkers, and cyclists support Sudanese heroes who are saving and changing lives. And we couldn’t have launched Miles For Sudan without a talented group of people here in Memphis either, many of whom volunteered their time and resources to make it happen!
American advocacy. We signed a number of organizational and expert letters and advocated for better U.S. policy toward Sudan. This included, but is not limited to: a letter to the Justice Department regarding the U.S. government supporting the International Criminal Court’s investigation in Sudan, a letter to President Joe Biden urging his administration to take action on the unfolding genocide emergency in El Fasher, and a letter to the presumptive 72nd Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make Sudan a priority in the next administration. We also provided requested guidance to small groups of new grassroots activists for their meetings with Congressional offices, as well as advocated in our own private communication with Congressional staffers. American policy improved throughout the year, in part because of efforts like these.
This is just a snapshot of what you helped us accomplish in 2024. Thank you; none of this would have been possible without your engagement!
The challenges we faced
While there is much to celebrate, 2024 was still a very difficult year. The war and famine imposed a number of security and resource challenges for all of our Sudanese partners. Even in areas not impacted directly by violence, prices on everything from school supplies to food to medicines have skyrocketed. Sudan’s war economy is surging across borders as needs soar. Many of the Sudanese heroes we support saw more suffering this year than ever before. It’s a heavy burden not being able to help every time they see a need.
The fundraising hurdles we’ve faced since 2020 continued easing slowly throughout the year. Overblown fears of a major economic recession in the United States again failed to come to fruition as inflation receded, leading to a trickle of new supporters. Sadly, many journalists remained disproportionately focused on the Israel/Gaza crisis to the detriment of the Sudanese people, which played a key role in preventing many potential donors from finding Sudan-related causes.
Similar to our Sudanese partners, we faced these challenges head on as best we could. Our delivering news and basic analysis helped bring new faces into our movement, including more supporters who live outside of the United States than ever before. Membership in The Renewal monthly giving family grew slightly, as did the number of supporters who started a fundraising page for the first time.
Looking ahead to 2025
Sudan ends the year on the brink of becoming a failed state. Armed conflict is intensifying as the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) target civilians, the former out of paranoia at the mere perception of disloyalty and the latter along ethnic lines. Famine is far from over. And it’s unclear what action, if any, the incoming Trump administration will take with regard to the crisis in Sudan. Making specific predictions about what lies ahead seems unwise, but here is what you can expect from us in 2025:
1. A new mission statement. Much has changed in Sudan and how we go about our work since this was last updated in 2017. Our new mission statement will better indicate who we are and what we do, while better reflecting our small size as a nonprofit.
2. More news and analysis. 2024 once again showed us that when people become aware of the tragedy unfolding in Sudan, they respond with tangible action. New supporters who showed up on our doorstep throughout the year remarked that they found us because we are providing more and better information on Sudan than major media outlets. We will continue bringing you the latest developments to keep you informed and so you can help others get involved.
3. Emphasizing what is good and effective. We’ll remain laser-focused on bringing more funding to bear for our Sudanese partners, as well as highlighting the best ways you can be a part of that. I encourage you to sign up for our email list if you haven’t already. This is the best way to make sure you are always in the loop.
Make Your Last Gift of 2024
While this year has brought unprecedented suffering, we've also witnessed the incredible resilience and compassion of the Sudanese heroes we partner with. We invite you to make one last gift in 2024 to Sudanese teachers, aid workers, and healthcare professionals.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900.
If you aren’t in a position to give, we encourage you to join Miles For Sudan.
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.
Thank you again for standing with our friends in Sudan this year. A long road and a lot of work lies ahead; but, together, we can help Sudanese heroes continue to change lives for the better. We all wish you a joyous and healthy New Year.
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director
