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As the war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) marks three years this month, up to 400,000 people have been killed in the devastation of Sudanese cities, such as Darfur and Khartoum.
The war and its ensuing impact could also be the worst displacement crisis in the world with more than 11 million people displaced and more than 4 million having fled to Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
"Right before our eyes, the largest humanitarian disaster of our times is unfolding," German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said in a statement at the anniversary of the war in 2025.
"Wherever we go and wherever we are, we are available, and we are ready to share the Word of God with different people in different places."
Pastor Tariq*
Moreover, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan have been reported to the International Criminal Court and in 2025, the UN has warned that rape is being used as a weapon of war. At the beginning of 2026, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court told the UN Security Council that "atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region are spreading from town to town in an organized campaign of violence that includes mass executions, rape and ethnic targeting, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity."
And there is still no end in sight.
But even in the darkness, God is still working. We recently spoke to Pastor Tariq*, a senior church leader who had a large congregation in Khartoum before the war started.
"We helped to raise new leaders, new pastors, young pastors, so that they can know the Word of God and they can continue doing the work of God in the country," he says. "For many people, [education and training] are very expensive, so we try to train new leaders in the country in any way possible."
Due to the war, this important work has partly come to a halt, but Pastor Tariq remains relentless in his mission to disciple and educate pastors.
Many Sudanese have fled to Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. Though safe, displaced Christians face many other problems. And some 1.6 million people have recently returned to Khartoum. The UN reports that the humanitarian situation remains dire, with "skyrocketing" needs and a massive shortfall in international support.
"We cannot just sit idle and do nothing because of the war, no," Tariq says. "Wherever we go and wherever we are, we are available, and we are ready to share the Word of God with different people in different places. I am trying to work with some of the refugees in the place where I live now. Here we have some refugees living in camps."
He says the refugees in the camps need help and encouragement. "We visit these churches or homes and share the Word of God with them. With the little resources we have, sometimes we organize training for the younger generation, like the youth and the children. We try to just be with them and to encourage them also with the Word of God."
The situation for people living in these camps is very difficult as they struggle to find food, clean water and shelter. Among those in the camps are also believers from a Muslim background who need discipleship training.
"I try to help with whatever I have, because people need us," Tariq says. "And as I have said, God has brought us here to help people. This is why we have committed ourselves. We have been ordained to serve the people, to serve the people of God, the Sudanese communities, everywhere and by any means. So that is what we are doing and … what we will continue to be doing."
Rafat Samir, a senior Sudanese church leader, says the biggest challenge for Christians is the insecurity that persists. "The circle of war shifts every day to new locations. The war zones are also expanding. The church is also suffering from the war in these regions."
He explains that in Khartoum, some groups loyal to the Islamic government are now attempting to seize parts of churches in key areas. "Believers are suffering from a lack of employment, leaving them with little option but to join armed movements and militias," he explains.
Samir says that Christians in many regions are "suffering in the sorrow that hangs over the country" and from the war in Kordofan. Many of them were displaced from these areas and fled to the north.
He explains: "Even today, they continue to hear daily that some of their relatives have been killed in the fighting. Both parties recruit them, so they become fuel for this war."
"People in the north of Sudan are also struggling due to the lack of jobs or the kinds of work they were previously engaged in, while facing ongoing pressure and temptation to join armed groups and militias from both sides."
Many people, Samir says, who were not killed by bullets have died due to the lack of food, medicine and the near-total absence of healthcare in many areas. "And where such services are available, they come at exorbitant prices that are nearly impossible to afford."
As a result of the war, churches in Sudan couldn't continue normal activities. Although Christians are not specifically targeted by the RSF or the SAF, they are the last to get any humanitarian aid and are often pressured to be involved with either of the groups.
Because of your prayers and support, Open Doors' local partners in the region have been able to provide much-needed encouragement and emergency relief aid. Toward the end of 2025, our partners distributed relief parcels to more than 1,300 families throughout Sudan.
Our local partners worked to identify particularly vulnerable beneficiaries—including widows and female-headed households, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, child-headed households and extremely vulnerable returnee families. Pastors struggling to feed their own family and trying to help others were also assisted.
"The support came at the very time I was suffering in pain," says a displaced, bedridden woman from Khartoum, who received the aid. "I rejoiced and thanked God from the depths of my heart for answering prayer. I was able to go to the hospital immediately. Thank you for your generous support in these difficult circumstances. May God bless you and make you a blessing to many."
Please continue to pray for an end to the civil war in Sudan. Your support of the work of Open Doors has also enabled us to help the most vulnerable Sudanese Christians. One of our church partners shares the following thank you: "We are deeply grateful for your decision to stand with us during this tragic season, especially as the church in Darfur and across Sudan continues to endure immense pressure.
"Your generosity has not only met practical needs but has strengthened faith, restored hope and reminded many suffering believers that they are not alone. May God richly bless you, expand your ministry and reward your love and faithfulness in Christ."
*Name changed to protect security
