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Voices from the front lines: A local humanitarian's perspective on Sudan's crisis

Aid workers from the NGO, ADD prepare life-saving assistance to help displaced families in Port Sudan. This includes which includes food and essential supplies. Photo: ADD

by Basma Ourfali

Today marks three months since the crisis erupted in Sudan. We spoke to a local humanitarian who is helping people survive the crisis with essential aid and moral support.

"When I visit displacement shelters, I relate to the people I meet because I've experienced displacement and encountered significant hardships," said Mussab Hassan Muhammed.

A father of three, Mussab lived in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and has worked as a Programme Director for Addition for Disaster Assistance and Development (ADD), a national non-governmental organization (NGO), since 2017.

But like many Khartoum residents, Mussab saw his life change completely three months ago. He and his family were forced to escape the violence, moving between various areas. Since the conflict began on 15 April, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced inside Sudan. The majority, or 1.7 million people, fled their homes in Khartoum.

At one point, Mussab risked his life by returning to his apartment to retrieve important documents, but he was unsuccessful. After ensuring his family's safety in Aj Jazira State, a relatively safer area, he travelled to Port Sudan, where ADD had an office and from where many humanitarian organizations are operating now. He resumed his work there, collecting food, medical aid and essential supplies that were being brought into Port Sudan’s airport as a donation from Saudi Arabia to Sudan through ADD.

Mussab was on the ground from the early days of the response, delivering aid to affected people.

Mussab with his team providing assistance to affected people in Port Sudan. Photo: ADD

"Displaced families not only have to cope with leaving their homes and possessions behind, but they also face dire circumstances, such as soaring rental fees and the lack of basic services like water and electricity, especially during the scorching summer months, when temperatures reach above 40˚C,” he said. Through my work and observations, unfortunately, I can say that the situation is deteriorating day by day."

A main issue facing displaced families is accessing clean water. A family of six in Port Sudan needs to pay about US$6 per day for clean water. That’s $186 a month, which is beyond many people’s means. Consequently, people resort to using unsafe water sources, increasing their vulnerability to waterborne diseases.

Sudan’s health-care situation also creates significant challenges. Most health facilities in Khartoum are inoperable due to destruction or occupation by one of the parties to the conflict. And while many health-care centres in other states are still operational, they are overwhelmed due to the escalating needs, and limited staff and resources.

Health partners are working tirelessly to deliver medical supplies in various locations and to support health-care facilities nationwide. Humanitarian partners are providing life-saving assistance to internally displaced families, despite challenges such as looting and bureaucratic hurdles.

Between 15 April and 15 June, humanitarian organizations reached at least 2.8 million people across Sudan with critical aid, including food, health care, nutrition, education, non-food items, protection services, and water, sanitation and hygiene supplies. Local NGOs serve as the first responders and essential partners in delivering assistance.

ADD is at the forefront of the response, providing food, tents, blankets, kitchen sets and medical supplies in Aj Jazirah, Gedaref, Kassala and other states. It also has a new project to support people affected by gender-based violence in displacement centres.

Mussab feels that there should be more investment in local partners: "I hope that donors place more trust in local NGOs, as they are shouldering most of the response efforts. They have a better understanding of the context and know how to effectively assist people while maintaining their dignity."

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund, an OCHA-managed pooled fund, recently provided $40 million to fund NGOs operating in the most affected areas. But ADD and other organizations are still facing immense challenges, with access being a primary concern. This includes the delivery of supplies and staff movement, as they are displaced across different locations. Access to cash is also a major problem due to Sudan’s non-functional banking systems.

In addition, humanitarians encounter bureaucratic and administrative challenges that restricts the flow of relief workers and supplies. This includes the need for obtaining visas for international staff to travel to Sudan, and securing travel permits for staff and supplies within the country. To overcome these hurdles, OCHA engaged in extensive coordination efforts with all relevant parties, ensuring adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

Between 24 May and 7 July, OCHA facilitated the movement of 631 trucks carrying more than 28,500 metric tons of aid to various states, including Aj Jazirah, Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, Northern, River Nile, Sennar and White Nile. Trucks transporting food and other assistance from Egypt arrived in Wadi Halfa, at the Sudan border.

Despite the conflict and the immense suffering, Mussab finds inspiration in the unwavering determination of local communities and youth initiatives.

"What truly impresses me is witnessing the remarkable efforts of these communities,” he said. “They have been instrumental in providing food, supporting women during childbirth, and generously opening their homes to accommodate displaced families.”