Sudan is the largest country in Africa. The western border of Darfur is actually nearer the Atlantic Ocean to the west than the Red Sea coastline of Sudan in the east. The country is dominated by Arab Muslim northerners but the south is African and majority Christian while the population of Darfur is mainly African Muslims. The long civil war (1983-2005) killed some 2 million people, mainly southerners, and drove some 5 million from their homes according to official estimates. Peace in the south brings an opportunity for rebuilding its devastated infrastructure but violence in Darfur remains a major issue.

The history of Sudan has produced a mainly Muslim North and a mainly Christian South. The proportion of Christians in the whole country is around 23%, but in the South it is nearer 70%.

Christians need major help in rebuilding the south, while not forgetting those who live elsewhere in the country. Barnabas Aid is assisting with things like support for schooling for refugees, teacher training, medical projects, rebuilding and aid for Christians in Darfur.