Sudan Relief Fund’s Matt Smith Recaps Severity of Conflict on EWTN as War in Sudan Hits Two-Year Mark
The brutal conflict in Sudan that has decimated the nation and plunged its people into deep humanitarian disaster has now reached the two year mark, with no clear ending in sight.
Matt Smith, Senior Vice President of Sudan Relief Fund, spoke with EWTN on the second anniversary of the conflict, as global leaders gathered in London to look for solutions to stop the violence.
EWTN acknowledged how Sudan’s civil war has escalated to become the world’s “largest humanitarian crisis,” with 51 million people impacted, a death toll in the tens of thousands, and widespread famine – a conflict that has too often been overlooked and forgotten by the rest of the world.
Pope Francis had called for the warring parties to end the violence and enter into passive dialog, urging them to consider the welfare of civilians and allow humanitarian aid to enter the country. The humanitarian toll is incomprehensible.
“The resulting devastation is almost unfathomable when you consider the humanitarian fallout,” said Matt Smith, who described how the Catholic Church has been on the front lines of the humanitarian response.
“Sudan Relief Fund partners with Catholic missionaries on the ground on the front lines to serve those who’ve been forgotten by much of the world,” he explained. “We’re in the conflict areas as first responders to those in the most need.”
The war that’s leveled the country’s infrastructure and brought business and food production to a halt has sent shockwaves of devastation across the nation.
Today marks the two-year anniversary when fighting broke out in the capital city of Khartoum, between the rebel militia Rapid Support Forces and the government-backed Sudanese Armed Forces. Matt described how no part of the country has been left untouched by the effects of the civil war – effects that have resulted in “utter devastation” with “no end in sight as I see it,” Matt said.
He said with so many different crises across the world, it has been difficult to garner attention and aid for the suffering in Sudan. “Thirteen million people are displaced and in need of food. The needs are great, and that’s where we (Sudan Relief Fund) try to step in to solve those needs.”
