Country Profile

While not part of a CRWRC Ministry Team, Sudan has been a CRWRC relief project site since 2004.  For most of the 20th century, Sudan has been embroiled in civil wars and rebel uprisings.  This has resulted in the deaths of more than 2 million people and the displacement of over 4 million people from their homes.  CRWRC has been responding as part of a multi-agency effort to provide emergency assistance to those living in refugee camps, and to those attempting to rebuild their lives after returning to their homes.

Fast Facts

Population: 39,379,358 (July 2007 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Literacy rate: 61.1%
Life expectancy: 49.11 years
Population below poverty line: 40% (2004 est.)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $2,400 (2006 est.)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25%
Languages:  Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
note: program of "Arabization" in process

(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Sudan)

Relief Projects

October 26, 2007 Update

The crisis in Darfur continues and so does the humanitarian assistance provided by CRWRC and its partner agencies. 

In mid September, Ken Little, CRWRC Senior Relief Project Manager, visited the project communities of Azerni and Sanidadi in West Darfur.  He was encouraged as he met with community leaders (sheiks) and together reviewed the food security, medical, nutrition, water and sanitation projects that are being implemented by the Global Relief Alliance coalition led by World Relief.

Little met with a farm family in Azerni who had planted the seeds received from a seed distribution earlier in the summer and was pleased to show off their diverse crops.

He also saw crowds of village children at the water distribution points waiting patiently to fill their large plastic jerry cans with clean water to load onto their donkeys in order to carry home. 

Unfortunately, the civil war continues unabated and has resulted in a complex humanitarian disaster that has put thousands of families at risk of food insecurity.  CRWRC continues to assist and is in the process of planning its next phase of intervention.

But the best solution would be a durable peace for this troubled region of Sudan.  Peace talks are scheduled to begin on October 27, 2007 in Libya.   Please pray for peace in Sudan.

CRWRC's involvement in Darfur started in September 2004. Your financial support for this ministry is vital. Your gift, no matter what size, will have a lasting impact on someone's life. For example, a gift of $20 could feed a family for a month, and a gift of $250 could supply a water pump to a camp.

Your voice is desperately needed. Please visit the CRC's Office of Social Justice and Hunger Action web site at www.crcjustice.org  for Sudan advocacy opportunities.