This letter features reporting from Inside Sudan's Devastating War by Bastien Massa and Arthur Larie
Dear Representative Pressel,
I am writing to urgently draw your attention to the devastating crisis in Sudan, one of the most severe yet underreported humanitarian crises of our time. This conflict, rooted in a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has ravaged the country for over a year. According to the Pulitzer Center-supported article "Port Sudan, Makeshift Capital of a War-Torn Country" by Bastien Massa and Arthur Larie, the conflict began when the RSF launched attacks on government sites in April 2023, igniting widespread violence across the nation. This war has claimed 150,000 lives and displaced 8 million people, forcing countless innocent civilians to flee their homes.
I was only four years old when my family left Nigeria in the wake of the Boko Haram crisis, during which civilians, particularly Christian communities, were targeted in a series of violent attacks in the early 2010s. Although my journey is not comparable to that of the victims of the war in Sudan, I feel a personal connection to those displaced by this conflict. I vaguely remember the fear and uncertainty my family endured before we left Nigeria, and I vividly recall the challenges of moving from one country to another, adapting to new cultures and environments as we settled in England and eventually the U.S. I deeply empathize with the pain of being uprooted and forced to flee from home under such dire conditions.
Many Sudanese refugees are concentrated in camps in areas like Port Sudan, the country's temporary capital, where they struggle to access necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. The city’s limited resources make it challenging to support this large influx of displaced people.
Although this crisis may seem distant, LaPorte’s strong commitment to humanitarian causes should inspire us to take action. Local organizations like the LaPorte County Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund exemplify how our community makes a difference by supporting disaster victims, reflecting our shared values of compassion and a readiness to help those in need.
As our representative, you have the power and responsibility to advocate for increased humanitarian aid that will provide critical resources like food, clean water, medical supplies, and shelter to those affected by this conflict. Your role in Congress enables you to influence policy decisions and mobilize resources for international humanitarian efforts. With bipartisan support already present in Congress for humanitarian aid in other global conflicts, including those in the Middle East and Europe, you could help extend similar resources to the people in Sudan.
By advocating for increased aid, you can reduce the suffering of countless innocent people caught in the crossfire of this war. Your advocacy may also inspire other leaders to act, helping make our world a better place.
Sincerely,
Tochukwu Ogbuefi

Tj is a 15 year old junior attending La Lumiere. He is an accomplished student with strong personal ties to Nigeria, where he lived until the age of four. The youngest of four sisters, Tj first became aware of the ongoing crisis in Sudan through his older sister Lolo, who took the time to educate him on the situation. This connection to Nigeria and his experiences with displacement has deeply influenced Tj’s perspective on global issues, motivating his involvement in leadership and community service roles.
Through his participation in a LaPorte County Leadership Program last year, Tj recognized the roles that LaPorte plays in supporting its community, similar to the way he described in his letter advocating for Sudanese refugees. This program helped him understand the importance of local action and how collective efforts can address global challenges.
Read more winning entries from the 2024 Local Letters for Global Change contest!