Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - The streets are deserted and inaccessible, there is no public transport and electricity and water is becoming scarce. The war that began on 15 April in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and has spread to many other cities in Sudan, does not stop. However, little is known about the conflict because of the limited movement of people. The little information available comes from the missionaries who have remained close to the population. Among these are the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) who, together with the Salesians, despite the difficulties, continue to serve the poorest and most needy population, giving food and shelter to several hundred people and also caring for the injured.
According to reports, the sisters have "transformed" their primary school in Shajara, 7 km from Khartoum, into a space where children can play during the day and give them shelter at night together with their respective mothers. The Sisters opened their classrooms and their residence for the poor. Every day about 80 poor children of different ages, together with their mothers, live in the Sisters' complex. The Sisters provide food during the day to all those who are hosted by them, and offer breakfast daily to about 300 poor children and people who live around their residence. In addition to the activities with the children, the FMA have also begun an apostolate with the sick and injured. "Every day, between 15 and 20 injured patients come to the Sisters' residence for medical help", they say from the home.
FMAs living in Shajara opened their presence in 1989. There are five Sisters and are currently the only representatives of the Catholic Church in the vicinity of the Sudanese capital.
The Salesians in Sudan have two presences in the city of Khartoum – the vocational school and the parish of St Joseph – and another in the city of El Obeid, 500 kilometres from Khartoum (see Fides, 2/6/2023). "All three have been closed due to insecurity and the dangers that lie ahead", explained a missionary. The Salesians from these communities have left the country, with the exception of the Director of the vocational school, who has moved to the FMA residence in Shajara, where he collaborates in the initiatives that are carried out to help the needy. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 18/7/2023)
