ROMA – Nine hundred families on the edge of the desert. Besieged by fighting but strong in the spirit of those who welcomed them and those who help them. Even with bags of rice, lentils or the money for a car to take them away from the front. The story of these families is told by Father Salvatore Marrone, 66 years old, a missionary in Sudan for 35 years. He talks about his parish in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city on the opposite bank of the Nile. These approximately 900 families are located in an area under the control of the army but close to areas in the hands of the opposite faction, that of the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces.
Ten million displaced. According to the United Nations, the conflict has forced more than ten million people to flee their homes since April 2023. “I myself had to leave my church after the rebel attacks and I arrived here in Port Sudan” recalls Father Marrone, on the phone from this city overlooking the Red Sea, about a thousand kilometers away from his parish. “I try to maintain contact with those who remained, who face many difficulties: after a year and a half of war there is no work, food is expensive and medicines are almost impossible to find.” The Christian communities, a small minority in an overwhelmingly Muslim country, have welcomed displaced people especially in Thawra 18 and Al Fatah.
The passage of the paramilitaries. “It is a desert area”, reports Father Marrone, “where educational centers and schools have arisen over time, although they have thatched roofs but they are built well and resist”. The photos scroll on the display. The pews torn up inside a church after the passage of the paramilitaries, the crowd of people attending mass in the shade of some trees, a small child laughing with his head sticking out of a bucket. Images shared by the missionary, originally from Villafranca di Verona, one of the four Italians from the Comboni congregation who remained in Sudan. “I arrived for the first time a few weeks after Omar Al Bashir’s coup in 1989” he recalls.
The schools are closed and there are few teachers. “Today, with the war, the difficulties are extraordinary: officially the schools remain closed, even if in order not to leave the children at home we try to hold lessons with the few remaining teachers, who teach Arabic, mathematics or English”. An opportunity that is not always guaranteed. In fact, especially in areas under the control of the paramilitaries, there is growing pressure on children who have reached the age of 14 to enlist.
The early recruitment of boys, house by house. “It happens that armed men show up in villages asking for a number of young people to train and recruit” reports Father Marrone: “They threaten to burn and destroy if they are refused”. The missionary, together with his brothers, however, tries to strengthen hope . “A sign is the nice welcome, in the Christian sense, that was offered in the parishes to those arriving from the areas closest to the front line” underlines Father Marrone. Convinced that solidarity, also through the network of Comboni Missionaries, can produce results.
Sacks of lentils or rice. “It is possible to make a donation through the Verona prosecutor’s office” reports the missionary. “In Sudan we then manage the funds by sending them via telephone to trusted people, indicated by the communities, who have mobile banking accounts and try to respond to local needs.” This is how bags of lentils or rice are purchased and the most vulnerable families are helped to move. The spirit is that of Saint Daniele Comboni, a missionary in Sudan in the 19th century, enriched and made more alive by the commitment of the local Church. “All our initiatives”, underlines Father Marrone, “are carried out in collaboration with Monsignor Michael Didi Adgum Mangoria, the archbishop of Khartoum, and with the Sudanese clergy, who are suffering with the people”.
* Vincenzo Giardina – DIRE Agency
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**What structural changes or peace-building initiatives does [Guest 2 Name] believe are essential for Sudan to achieve long-term stability and prevent the recurrence of such devastating conflicts, and how can the international community effectively support these efforts?**
## Interview: Hope Amidst the Ruins - A Conversation About Survival in Sudan
**Introduction:**
Welcome everyone to today’s interview. We’re joined by two distinguished guests: Father Salvatore Marrone, a missionary working tirelessly in Sudan for the past 35 years, and [Guest 2 Name], an expert on [Guest 2 Expertise related to Sudan or humanitarian crises]. Father Marrone recently fled his parish in Omdurman but remains in close contact with the community. Today, we’ll be discussing the harrowing situation in Sudan, focusing on the resilience of its people and the challenges they face amidst the ongoing conflict.
**Section 1: The Human Cost of Conflict**
**Host:** Father Marrone, the article paints a dire picture of the situation in Sudan, with ten million people displaced. Can you tell us more about the daily life of these displaced families, especially those you’re in contact with in Omdurman?
**Father Marrone:** (Details personal stories, challenges faced by families, resilience )
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], from your perspective, what are some of the most pressing humanitarian concerns in Sudan right now, and what are the long-term consequences of this prolonged conflict?
**Guest 2:** (Elaborates on humanitarian concerns, potential long-term consequences, resources needed)
**Section 2: Education and the Future Generation**
**Host:** The article mentions the difficulties faced by children in accessing education. Father Marrone, how are you and your community trying to provide educational opportunities amidst these challenging circumstances?
**Father Marrone:** (Explains community initiatives, challenges faced, importance of education)
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], what are the potential long-term consequences of this disruption in education for Sudan’s future? How can the international community best support initiatives like those championed by Father Marrone?
**Guest 2:** (Discusses impact on education, strategies for international support)
**Section 3: The Role of Faith and Community**
**Host:** Father Marrone, despite the hardship, the article highlights the strong sense of community and solidarity, particularly within the Church. Can you share some examples of how faith and community support are helping families survive this crisis?
**Father Marrone:** (Provides specific examples of community support, role of faith)
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], how important is religious and community-based support in fragile situations like this? What lessons can we learn from the Sudanese community’s resilience?
**Guest 2:** (Discusses the importance of faith-based support, insights from Sudanese resilience)
**Section 4: A Call to Action**
**Host:** Father Marrone, you mentioned ways people can contribute to helping the affected families. Can you touch on those again for our listeners who are looking for ways to help?
**Father Marrone:** (Details specific ways to contribute, resources for donations)
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], what message would you like to leave our audience with? What can individuals and the international community do to help alleviate the suffering in Sudan?
**Guest 2:** (Provides a compelling call to action, emphasizes the urgency of the situation)
**Conclusion:**
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your insights and experiences. The situation in Sudan is dire, but the stories of resilience and hope shared today remind us that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit endures. We hope these insights will inspire action and support for the people of Sudan.
