A violent civil war broke out in Sudan in 2023. More than 15 million people fled the violence. Sudan is the country with the largest number of displaced people in the world. No one is safe. The food supply situation was already difficult. Now there is widespread famine.
Mrs Ibrahim's story
Zaineb Ibrahim is a widow aged 55. She has three daughters. One of her daughters, herself a mother of three, is also a widow. The two others were studying, but had to quit their studies due to the war.
Head over heels on the run
The village, where she has lived since her marriage, was attacked last summer. In a panic, she fled with her daughters and grandchildren. There was no time to pack a suitcase and bring belongings. They spent two days in a truck with 400 (!) other refugees before reaching the refugee camp in Gedaref. They were lucky, thinks Ms Ibrahim. Many people from her village had to walk for 10 days to get there.
Humane refugee camp
Ms Ibrahim bivouacs in a school compound. She sleeps outdoors on a mat; she does not have a tent or other shelter. The temperature is usually high in Sudan, but it can definitely be cold at night. In the place where she lives, there is a total lack of hygiene and human dignity. Without the hygiene kits we distribute through a partner organisation here, she would not have even the most basic things to take care of herself.
Staying positive
When asked about her mental health, Ms Ibrahim responded very forcefully: "The most important thing is that my children and grandchildren are safe. And that we are together. I am grateful for that every day, it is not something I take for granted. I am happy that my children and grandchildren all made it, that no one died." She is very grateful for the help she receives from locals and relief organisations. "Help also helps enormously to stay positive and mentally healthy."
Hoping for peace
When asked about her hopes for the future, her dream, Ms Ibrahim replied firmly: "Peace. My dream is that in my country the blessing of peace returns." She hopes that her daughters will be able to resume their studies and that the young people currently helping her will be able to move on with their lives.
Distribution of relief goods
Emergency relief Sudan is ongoing. The good news is that aid is getting underway and food, medicine and essential care are reaching the refugees. The video below shows how the distribution of relief goods works and the dilemmas that sometimes arise. Feel free to share this video in your church app.
