Mothers on the run: The incredible women fighting for survival fleeing Sudan’s war with newborns in tow

International Christian relief and development agency Tearfund has launched its 2026 Christmas Appeal, highlighting the harrowing journeys of pregnant mothers fleeing violent conflict in Sudan to reach safety in South Sudan.

The war in Sudan, which broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is universally recognised by the United Nations and major international relief agencies as the largest displacement crisis in the world. 

Over 1.3 million displaced people have crossed the border, plunging communities into severe food shortages. Among them are young mothers forced to endure life threatening births on the road with no food, water or shelter. 

Achol, 21, went into labour while escaping on a transport truck. The vehicle stopped briefly under a tree while a birth attendant helped her. With no clothes for her newborn, a fellow passenger offered her own veil to wrap the baby.

“I spent my first month in the open struggling to feed my children and suffering deeply from hunger,” said Achol, who now resides in Aweil East camp.

Achol’s faith remains a source of strength: ‘The Word of God gives me strength. My suffering has made me stronger. I stay strong because of my children.’

Athok, 20, fled an air raid while heavily pregnant. After walking for three days without food, she gave birth to twin girls called Achan and Anger (pronounced ‘Anyer’) and had to tear up her only bedsheet to wrap them.

“I was running for my safety,” said Athok. “Now, with Tearfund’s food assistance I am able to eat and feed my babies.”

Tearfund is providing emergency food assistance including sorghum, beans, and cooking oil to support around 21,000 people across 2,000 households in Aweil East. 

Alongside emergency food support, Tearfund also aims to help an additional 1,000 households in the Aweil East camp prepare for drought, flooding and future food shortages. Working with local partner CIRDA, the programme will provide agricultural training, seeds and tools so that families can establish kitchen gardens and raise poultry. 

Erickson Bisetsa, Tearfund’s South Sudan Country Director, said:

Every day in the camps, mothers like Achol and Athok demonstrate unimaginable strength amidst extreme poverty. They gave birth on transport trucks or under trees with nothing to wrap their infants in. The need is vast in these camps right now. A mother and baby facing hunger today cannot wait.

To donate to Tearfund’s Christmas Appeal log onto www.tearfund.org/christmas26

ENDS