Sudan: Two Years of War

Temi:

Sudan

Fighting has ceased in Khartoum, but violence continues in Darfur: updates from Sudan, after two years of war

Two years have passed since 15 April 2023, when a war broke out in Sudan fought between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

During these two years, we have never left the country. EMERGENCY is the only international organisation that has always remained operational in the capital Khartoum.

Sudan: An Ongoing Humanitarian Disaster

Since 15 April 2023, over 12 million people have fled their homes, of whom more than eight million are internally displaced (half of these are children); more than three million people are refugees and returnees who have crossed international borders to neighbouring countries, mainly Chad, Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan.

Sudan remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with 30.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid (IOM).

To date, there have been over 100 attacks on health facilities in the country, 80% of which are partially functional (WHO). Around 70% of the population cannot access any health services.

26 million people – half the population – are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Sudan is among the top four most food insecure countries in the world.

“War means disaster. There is nothing worse, people die, they have to flee their homes, there is no word to describe war. I was asked, ‘What do I want for me and my country?’ I don’t want anything for myself. But I have two daughters, two little girls, two and four years old: I would like them to have the opportunity to get a proper education, to be able to make their own decisions, and not to have to worry.” – Samir, EMERGENCY’s Logistician in Sudan

The Situation in Khartoum

Since Khartoum was recaptured by the Sudanese Armed Forces in recent weeks, fighting has ceased in the city.

The prices of fuel and basic goods have fallen: “Fuel costs half as much as last month,” explains Matteo D’Alonzo, EMERGENCY’s Country Director in Sudan. For the past four months (plus three months of 2024), the energy requirements of the Salam Centre have been fulfilled by generators. We have incurred huge expenses due to the major increases in the cost of the fuel necessary for them to function.

“For all Sudanese people, this has been two years of suffering and pain. As human beings, we reject what is happening in our country. Doing my part, providing quality care, continues to be the main motivation of my life. The Salam Centre is a bubble of hope and humanity for those in need of medical care.” – Aisha, EMERGENCY’s Intensive Care Nurse at the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery

“I got to know the Salam Centre as a cardiac patient in 2014. I joined the team in 2023, three months after the conflict broke out. With war, you can’t afford anything anymore: I live alone in Khartoum and this is everything to me.” – Rebecca, EMERGENCY’s Cleaner at the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery

As a consequence of the siege on Khartoum, the Salam Centre had been forced to suspend cardiac surgeries, but continued to offer an emergency medicine service and paediatric activities, an important service for the population in a city where less than 10% of health facilities are still operational.

"After the capture of Khartoum, the roads to enter and exit the area where our hospital is located were finally reopened. It was impossible to enter Khartoum safely, so I, along with eight colleagues, had to wait for months before we were able to reach the city and relieve the team that was stuck here due to the fighting. New supplies for the hospital which had also been stuck until a few days ago, are now entering as well. We can finally restart all our activities.”
Elena Giovanella, Anaesthesiologist and Medical Coordinator of the Salam Centre

“EMERGENCY has never left the country. In Khartoum, we have long been the only international NGO present and operational, above all thanks to the dedication of our Sudanese colleagues. Now that fighting in the capital has stopped, we hope for a more general improvement in security so that the Sudanese people can begin returning to their homes and rebuilding.”
Matteo D'Alonzo, Country Director in Sudan

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The Situation in Darfur

In Darfur, meanwhile, fighting continues to cause deaths, injuries and displacement.

In Nyala, where EMERGENCY operates a Paediatric Clinic, the population people has lived under curfew with hardly any electricity or connectivity for two years.

Basic necessities are scarce in a city whose population has quadrupled due to the arrival of displaced people from other areas of the country.

“The war destroyed everything. I will never forget the painful moments I experienced. Like the day my neighbours called me to help their newborn and I couldn’t reach them, because there was shooting outside the house. I hope the war will end soon: people need care. And where there is care, there is life.” – Islam, EMERGENCY’s Head Nurse at the Nyala Paediatric Centre

“At our Paediatric Centre, we see young patients arriving in increasingly poor condition. Poor nutrition and a lack of safe drinking water are leading to more and more cases of gastroenteritis, infections, severe malnutrition and anaemia. I never saw children in such serious conditions before the start of this war. We are open seven days a week and 24 hours a day to meet everyone’s needs.”
Laura Ena, nurse and Medical Coordinator of the Nyala Paediatric Centre