From Global Crisis to Local Action: The Sudanese Civil War, USAID, and What We Can Do
December 22, 2025
Tarig and Allegra offered us a powerful and grounded look at the war in Sudan. We’re especially grateful to Tarig for sharing the historical context of the conflict through his own family’s experience, and for helping us see how U.S. policy decisions—from sanctions to recent political shifts—directly affect the lives of Sudanese people. Allegra highlighted the real, on-the-ground impact of USAID’s sudden shutdown, with the overnight closure of soup kitchens relied on by millions as their only source of food. And both speakers reminded us that instability abroad ultimately comes back to threaten our safety and security at home.
Our Pennsylvania community is deeply connected to communities abroad, and each of us can take action—through holding elected officials accountable on supporting aid and defense policy to giving what we can to organizations working on the frontlines. We hope you’ll consider supporting one or more of the organizations shared at the end of this message. As Allegra reminded us, even amid horrific conditions, there is real hope and meaningful work being led by Sudanese people and the diaspora.
Your presence and thoughtful engagement help ensure that these stories, experiences, and local efforts are seen and heard. If you’d like to support future events like this and help keep international issues visible in local and political spaces, you can give to Lucia’s campaign and select “Issue-based discussions”.
In solidarity,
Lucia, Tarig, and Allegra
Where you can give:
(please let us know if you do!)
Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA): The Sudanese diaspora has some of the strongest in-country humanitarian networks, and Sudanese doctors remain extraordinarily dedicated. SAPA was founded after the 2019 revolution, which was powered by professional associations such as the doctors, lawyers, and teachers unions. SAPA is a former USAID partner, is vetted by charity oversight organizations, and is widely respected. From my time working in Sudan, I know they deliver effective, reliable medical support through networks that remain active even as the health system collapses.
Website: https://sapa-usa.org/
Donate: https://sapa-usa.org/sudan-war-crisis-emergency-relief/
Sudan Solidarity Collective (Funds Emergency Response Rooms): The Sudan Solidarity Collective is a Sudanese diaspora organization that directly supports Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs). ERRs are neighborhood-level volunteer groups that coordinate food distributions, community kitchens, emergency medical transport, and shelter for displaced families. These networks emerged during the 2019 revolution and have become Sudan’s primary humanitarian system in areas where international actors cannot reach. The Collective is well regarded among Sudanese civil society, and it is one of the most effective ways to get resources inside the country quickly. Here is a video featuring some of the ERRs describing their work in their own words (in Arabic with English subtitles).
Website: https://www.sudansolidarity.com/
Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C9GCHUJN37MCG
AFORD (African Organization for Rights and Development): AFORD is a Kampala-based Sudanese NGO that works on human rights and development. Many Sudanese activists, journalists, and civil society leaders have relocated to Uganda due to the conflict, and AFORD continues to support these displaced communities while maintaining links inside Sudan. AFORD is also a former USAID partner, and they have long-standing credibility with Sudanese civil society. Their proximity to Sudan and their established relationships make them an effective and adaptable channel for support.
Website: https://www.aford.org/
Donate: https://www.aford.org/donate-now
Radio Dabanga and Radio Tamazuj: Radio Dabanga and Radio Tamazuj are among the few remaining independent news sources reporting accurately on Sudan and South Sudan. Radio Dabanga operates in exile from Amsterdam while Radio Tamazuj operates from Nairobi. Both provide reporting in English, Classical Arabic, and Juba Arabic. In a conflict marked by communications blackouts and misinformation, their reporting is crucial for civilians and for the international community. Both Radio Dabanga and Radio Tamazuj are former USAID partners, and their reputation for independent, community-focused journalism is well established. Radio Dabanga was just featured on NPR.
Radio Dabanga Website: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en
Radio Dabanga Donation Page: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/support-dabanga
Radio Tamazuj Website: https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en
Radio Tamazuj Donation Page: https://donorbox.org/support-independent-journalism-to-keep-south-sudan-informed
Center for Disaster Philanthropy Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Fund: CDP partners with vetted Sudanese civil society organizations, including Adeela, a youth-run network that collaborates with Emergency Response Rooms. During my time with USAID, Adeela was consistently one of the most reliable and community-grounded organizations working in difficult environments, including Darfur. CDP provides oversight and donor assurance. The tradeoff is that funds pass through CDP before reaching Sudanese groups, but they are transparent and can provide details about how funds move downstream.
Website: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/funds/cdp-sudan-humanitarian-crisis-fund/
Donate: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/donate/sudan-humanitarian-crisis-fund/
Sadagaat: Sadagaat is an established Sudanese diaspora charity with deep community roots. They distribute emergency food baskets, meals, and Zakat, and they have a strong ability to mobilize quickly during new waves of violence or displacement. For donors looking for a long-standing, trusted Sudanese-led organization, Sadagaat is a reliable option.
Website: https://sadagaat-usa.org/
Donate: https://sadagaat-usa.org/donate/
Project HOPE's Sudan Fund: HOPE has worked in Sudan for years and has a good reputation. They are a former USAID partner. They coordinate with SAPA (above) on medical supply delivery and with a local partner NADA, which has a robust presence on the ground. They are good at frontline response and have pivoted many times to the most acute healthcare needs based on the trajectory of the conflict.
Website: https://www.projecthope.org/region/africa/sudan/
Donate: https://www.projecthope.org/region/africa/sudan/?form=FY25_main_donate
Khartoum Aid Kitchen: Khartoum Aid Kitchen provides lifesaving food and medical support to families affected by the war in Sudan. The grassroots initiative has grown to operate kitchens in 8 of Sudan’s 18 states, feeding approximately 30,000 daily. NPR featured Khartoum Aid Kitchen, and they have partnered with larger humanitarian organizations as part of their response.