The proliferation of intra-state conflicts is challenging those international agencies which, directly or indirectly, offer assistance to
people affected by disasters. International interventions in intra-state conflicts have become more complex, and the humanitarian mandate
of such agencies has expanded beyond emergency relief interventions. Some agencies now insist, not only they must do something to relieve
the effects of armed conflicts, but that they must also build the capacity of the local communities. This is a challenge, not only for the relief and development community, but also for a growing number of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) which offer assistance in the field
generically referred to as grassroots community-based programmes.
NGOs, consistent with globalisation, have emerged and filled the vacuum as viable institutions for humanitarian relief aid. However, the
notion that NGOs are particularly well equipped and perhaps better equipped than donor governments and International Organisations
(IGOs) to help Africa’s war-victims, is based in part on assumptions about NGOs and their suitability for the task. So far, both the new
strategies and the increased confidence in NGOs as delivery vehicles is based largely on faith. This article aims to place this assumptions
under close scrutiny by reflecting on the Sudanese context in order to comment on this discourse. Contextualising the discussion of NGOs in
the particular setting of Sudan serves to highlight the problems associated with the myth surrounding the NGO humanitarian role.