Since the war began in 2023, Sudan’s warring parties have repeatedly shut down the internet to control information, pushing the crisis further out of public view. These blackouts have isolated civilians, hid abuses, and made it harder for families, aid groups and journalists to stay connected or respond to danger.
More than 14 million people have been displaced by the conflict. While many Sudanese remain displaced within the country or in neighbouring states, others have been forced to travel much further in search of safety. Some arrive in Europe, including Greece and northern France, after long and dangerous journeys, often with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
Our partners are supporting Sudanese refugees at different stages of this journey by meeting urgent needs while restoring dignity and a sense of normality.
At a community centre in Greece, for instance, two volunteers ran a small photography workshop using clothes from the Free Shop by the NGO Be Aware and Share, last year. The first group to take part were boys from a minor shelter. At first, they were shy and unsure, laughing nervously as they tried on outfits. Then one boy decided to step forward and the rest followed. Within minutes, the room was filled with laughter and confidence.
Moments like this show why efforts like setting up the Free Shop matter. It’s not just about warm jackets, shoes, or clothes for newborns. It’s about allowing people to feel like themselves again in circumstances that are often anything but dignified.
One Sudanese refugee shared:
“The shop is important because me as a refugee, I don’t arrive with anything. Clothes are very important… It gives us some of our dignity back and we can make sure our children have clothes.”
Meanwhile, in northern France, partners such as the Calais Food Collective support Sudanese refugees living in informal camps by providing cooking ingredients. These simple distributions help people prepare familiar food, gather together, and maintain a sense of cultural identity and wellbeing in extremely unstable conditions.
These are small interventions with a huge impact that restore agency, confidence and hope of people who have been uprooted by war.
You can help by remembering Sudan, sharing trusted information, and supporting our partners who continue to stand with Sudanese refugees every day. Thank you!
