Merry, refugee camp in Sudan
15 April marks three years of relentless conflict in Sudan. It is the worst humanitarian crisis happening right now. Yet despite families like Merry’s facing daily violence, the crisis continues to be underreported.
“During the conflict we faced unimaginable hardships,” says Merry, 43. “There was no food, no work, and the men could not safely leave the house.”
Imagine if I told you, in three years’ time you’ll flee your home for safety, lose your job and be living in a refugee camp. This was the reality for Merry and her family.
This is one woman’s account of how war changed her life.
Answer Christ’s call to love one another and donate to help our neighbours in Sudan.
Why did Merry flee her home?
Merry lived a good life with her husband and three children. Before the war, she was living and working in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. Here she built a career after university: “I was fortunate to have worked in various educational institutions, including a Catholic college.”
But everything changed in April 2023 when conflict erupted in Sudan.
Daily routines quickly disappeared as fighting spread. Food markets closed, hospitals collapsed, jobs were lost and families fled their homes in hope to find safety.
Two years into the conflict, the violence became unbearable and Merry’s family also had to flee.
“In May 2025, my life took a dramatic turn,” she tells us, “when I arrived at a refugee camp in the White Nile (in the Southern part of the country).”
What is the scale of the crisis?
The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated due to a steady influx of foreign weapons and funding. This has turned the conflict in Sudan into a high-stakes war.
But it is civilians like Merry whose lives are most affected.
She is just one of 14 million people – five times the population of Wales – forced from their homes due to the deadly conflict. Whilst more than half of Sudan’s population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance like medical care and food.
150,000 people have died in three years – that’s 1,096 people dying a day.
With fears that this number will dramatically increase as regions across Sudan declare famine declare famine, there is a severe shortage of food meaning families can go days without eating. This could lead to starvation.
How are you helping Merry’s family?
This war has shattered lives. But it has also revealed deep strength. I’ve seen people survive unimaginable loss with grace, neighbours feeding each other, and communities creating safe spaces in ruins.
In Sudan it is often local organisations who are the first, and sometimes only, responders to crises. And you are there with them.
When Merry arrived at a camp, you were there through the incredible work of local experts like Fatima. They met Merry and provided emergency food, shelter and safe drinking water.
“Upon arriving at the refugee camp, I was grateful to receive assistance, including safe-drinking water, soap, personal hygiene kits and latrines (toilets). These essentials provided a semblance of stability in the chaos surrounding us,” Merry tells us.
Where is Merry now?
In three years Merry’s life dramatically changed. She saw her home become a place of violence, her neighbours flee for their lives and her workplace cease to exist.
But she still stands strong supporting her family through extreme hardship.
“Despite the challenges, I believe I am a strong woman. My determination has pushed me to find ways to earn money and support my family,” she tells us.
You helped provide the essentials to survive like shelter and food. So Merry can focus her energy on making a living through trading sugar, peanuts and fish.
Amid this suffering, I have heard of courage and solidarity. Our partner Caritas Sudan, alongside other local organisations, is providing food, cash assistance, clean water, nutrition, and more. They are saving lives every day. But the gap between overwhelming needs and available support is massive.
We must continue to stand with our sisters and brothers living through the horrors of war.
What can we do next?
We are working with religious leaders in Sudan and in the region to secure a ceasefire and to ensure we reach families severely affected by conflict.
The UK government has the power to commit to working with countries like Sudan to support better funding. We are working with 12 other agencies asking for the UK government to increase life-saving funding across Sudan.
We do this because we will listen and stand with people like Merry who are living through the conflict. Together, we will continue to share hope.
“I hope to inspire others facing similar challenges.” Merry tells us, “I want them to know that even in the darkest times, there is a way to rise, adapt and thrive. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for our families.”
Please keep Merry and her family in your prayers.
Urge the Foreign Secretary to act on Sudan
Sudan is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis right now. Together, we can help. Sign a petition to call on our government to help our sisters and brothers in Sudan.