10th April 2026

The nongovernmental organisation Humanity & Inclusion has warned that the humanitarian situation in Sudan has reached “catastrophic levels” for civilians and is even more critical for people with disabilities.  An estimated 11.6 million people have been displaced in the war, and more than 33 million (roughly twice the population of Israel and Palestine or half the population of France) require humanitarian assistance. Around 4.6 million people, about 16% of Sudan’s population, live with disabilities, but the proportion is likely to be much higher in conflict-affected areas, due to injury, trauma, chronic health deterioration, and barriers to care. Medical Charity MSF have said that vaccination programs have been disrupted and disease-surveillance systems have broken down, allowing outbreaks of preventable diseases to spread.  On Wednesday, a drone strike on the paramilitary-controlled town of Kutum in Sudan's North Darfur state killed 12 civilians, including six children. Sixteen others were injured, including women and children, and are now receiving treatment. The United Nations estimate that drone attacks have killed more than 500 civilians between January and mid-March.  MSF have said that rape and sexual violence is a  a "defining feature" of the conflict in Sudan with rape a "part of everyday life" carried out by armed men and is often accompanied by acts of brutality and humiliation. 

Loving God, we come to you bearing the grief and needs of our neighbours in Sudan. We ask for your comfort and care for all who grieve the deaths of those they love, for widows and orphans, for people injured and in pain, for people displaced from their homes and the means of earning a living. We pray for the protection on the innocent, particularly women and girls subjected to sexual violence. Forgive that we treat one another with such inhumanity. Loving God, move among the leaders of the nations that they will see to restrain the violence and find a way to bring peace to this troubled land.  Pour out you blessing on all who, at risk to themselves, seek to bring aid and hope to people in desperate need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Joint Commission of the Empress Shōken Fund (ESF) (named after one of the founders of the Japanese Red Cross Society) has announced a new distribution of funds, totalling 430,884 Swiss francs, which will support 15 projects run by 15 National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies. The Commission is administered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The countries where the projects are being implemented are Botswana, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Latvia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania. The projects chosen cover a variety of issues, including disaster preparedness, first aid and rescue, health, social welfare and youth engagement.

One of the projects is in North Macedonia. People experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty often struggle to navigate fragmented support systems. This initiative creates a multifunctional service hub that brings together essential services in one place, supported by a simplified mapping approach. By improving access and coordination, it offers a practical, replicable model for inclusive service delivery. 

You can find out more about the Empress Shōken Fund 2026 here.

Loving God, we acclaim your great and glorious name.

We will rejoice in your presence all day long.

You are worthy to be praise by every living creature

for you have made all that is. 

We thank you for the life you have given us

with its opportunities, routines, unexpected encounters,

joys and delights.

We thank you that within humanity

you have placed a desire for us to care for one another

as you care for us all.

We praise you for Jesus, who lived our life,

and taught us about your love for us.

We thank you that by his death and resurrection

he has opened the gates of heaven

that we may live forever at one with you

in your Kingdom of love.

Praise and glory, honour and majesty

be to you our eternal and living God.

Amen.