Religious, Clergy Forced to Flee as War, Humanitarian Crisis Intensify in Sudan

Comboni Sisters in Omdurman, a locality in Khartoum, had also vacated their premises, the Catholic Archbishop said, adding that only one member of the Congregation had decided to stay put as the others left.

Canossian Sisters had also vacated their premises in the embattled city, with two members of the Congregation opting to go back to their native country, India.

Others who had fled from Khartoum, according to the list provided by Archbishop Didi, were Missionaries of Charity from their community in Omdurman, leaving, “one Korean who was evacuated by her Embassy.”

Similarly, Missionaries of Africa from Haj Yousif left, and Sisters of Charity at Khartoum North had left, the Archbishop said, adding, “Sacred Heart Egyptians from Amarat went to join their Sisters in Sennar.” 

“I was told that the Carmelites at Kalakala (in Khartoum) were leaving for El Obeid. Sisters of the Sacred Heart Sudanese from Oshra left for Juba but the community of Omdurman remained,” he said, adding that some Diocesan Priests had also left Khartoum for other states in Sudan.

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He pointed out the Franciscan Capuchins among Congregations that were “still holding on” in Khartoum.

Highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Khartoum, the Catholic Archbishop said, “I was informed that from last Tuesday and Wednesday, thieves entered the Curia and took every penny we had. So, what can we do?”

He said that he had received reports from “a religious brother” that “they do not have any food for themselves and surely all those who depend on the Diocese.”

“All supermarkets are looted. Pray for us,” Archbishop Didi said, appealing for prayers to end the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary force under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

At least 528 people have reportedly been killed and 4,599 injured since the conflict began. Many more are thought to have died due to the disruption of critical services, including health care.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reportedly warned that if the Sudan war continues, over 815,000 people are likely to flee the country, “including 580,000 Sudanese refugees and 235,000 refugees from neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Chad who had settled in Sudan to find safety but are now caught up in a conflict in their host country.”

The leadership of St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre (VCT) situated in Khartoum is mulling over a plan to move to a safer place following a bombing that destroyed part of the facility that is under the auspices of Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB).

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.