For the people of Sudan, the toll of conflict is painfully evident. Families like Muhammad Awad's live with the scars of war, having fled from Tuti Island, where the situation has become dire under the siege of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Tuti, perched on the Nile, reflects the larger humanitarian catastrophe gripping the nation since fighting broke out in April 2023.
Awad's family escaped the suffocative conditions of Tuti Island earlier this year, but not without immense hardship. Describing his plight at a shelter for displaced persons in Omdurman, he lamented, "There is no good food, and there's a lot of diseases, there is no sleep, no safety." Reports indicate the island is one of 14 regions at risk of famine, illustrating the ripple effects of the conflict.
The situation is exacerbated by the rampant spread of diseases like dengue fever. For mothers like Sarah Siraj, who left Tuti with her two children, the challenges were overwhelming. She recounted, "Six or seven people were dying daily, and I was only able to get my children treated once we reached Omdurman." Desperate straits have driven many to seek relief through charity kitchens, but many of these have shut down due to lack of resources.
According to experts, more than 61,000 people are estimated to have died since the war began, and these numbers might reflect only the tip of the iceberg. The RSF's role has drawn scrutiny, particularly allegations of charging evacuees exorbitant fees for escape routes.
The suffering extends beyond Tuti, with families drowning under the weight of hunger and disease. Nutritionist Rabeea Abdel Gader noted the despair among mothers who visited the shelter. She said, "We ask the mother about what they eat... Sometimes the mother responds with her tears." The challenges faced by families have been compounded by the disruption of humanitarian aid, particularly where the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) hold sway.
Meanwhile, the RSF is seeking to reposition themselves politically, calling for ceasefires and attributing the collapse of peace negotiations to the SAF's obstructionist tactics. During an international press briefing, RSF delegates highlighted their commitment to peace, expressing regret over the breakdown of the democratic transition initiated after the October 25 coup, which they argue has destabilized the country.
Brigadier Omer Hamdan Ahmed, leading the RSF delegation, emphasized their willingness to cooperate with civilian forces and international partners to restore the democratic process, but pointed fingers at the SAF. He mentioned, "Despite our serious engagement, the SAF leadership, aligned with remnants of the old regime, continued preparing for war, undermining every effort for peace." Ahmed's statements suggest the RSF is eager to frame themselves as peace-seeking, yet controlling territories across Sudan.
Women and youth have been particularly highlighted as groups whose voices need amplification during this crisis. Yet as families attempt to navigate these turbulent waters, the humanitarian situation remains precarious. The RSF claims to have made humanitarian commitments during discussions, but as hardship deepens, it remains unclear whether these commitments translate to tangible relief on the ground.
Neighboring South Sudan, too, is feeling the ripples from Sudan's conflict. The United Nations recently reported alarming figures indicating the sheer scale of food insecurity across the region with projections showing 57% of South Sudan’s population will face acute food shortages. Almost 7.7 million individuals are expected to be acutely food insecure, many due to the compounded effects of conflict and climate crises. This year alone, the floods have displaced nearly 380,000 people, adding another layer of urgency to the humanitarian response required.
Mary-Ellen McGroarty from the World Food Programme painted a sobering picture, stating, "Year after year, we see hunger reaching some of the highest levels we’ve seen in South Sudan." With more than 85% of newly returned refugees from Sudan projected to be food insecure, the once-thriving agriculture has now crumbled under strife.
Young children are hitting hardest; UNICEF reports approximately 2.1 million children face malnutrition partly due to the deteriorated sanitation conditions stemming from the floods. Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF's representative, sounded alarm bells over the humanitarian situation, stressing, "Malnutrition is the end result of multiple crises," and warning these numbers could climb if urgent aid is not provided.
The interdependent nature of conflict and climate change has created a storm of challenges for both Sudan and South Sudan. Investments and initiatives to address the underlying causes of hunger and instability are urgently needed. Among the pressing concerns for South Sudan is political paralysis, with elections delayed indefinitely, angering international observers.
The chain reaction caused by the persistent violence and displacement from Sudan's conflict doesn't merely stop at its borders. It ripples throughout the region, forcing countries like South Sudan to grapple with the effects of increased refugee populations, heightened food insecurity, and strained resources. Organisations around the world highlight the urgent need for intervention and assistance as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Sudan and South Sudan exist amid haunting echoes of unresolved conflicts and humanitarian need, with the future remaining uncertain. Daily life is now defined by unexpected hardships of coping, resilience, and the pursuit of barely surviving another day. And as both governments navigate these overlapping crises, one can't help but wonder: Will they take the necessary steps to stem the tide of suffering?
