Holy See urges international support for Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and DRC

Cardinal Pietro Parolin made a string of appeals for African countries facing acute humanitarian crises. He described Sudan as suffering "an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," urged parties to initiate sincere reconstruction dialogue, and called on the international community to support recovery and relief efforts.

He also appealed to South Sudan's leaders to place national well-being above partisan interests and emphasized the need to protect health and humanitarian workers, ensure unimpeded access to aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo and respond generously to urgent needs in Somalia, particularly for women and children. He warned that responses to jihadist advances in the Sahel must include prevention, development and interreligious dialogue, not only military measures.