Sudanese Displaced Women Face Wretched Conditions During Ramadan

Displaced Families in Al-Sarraf Camp Face Food and Medical Shortages During Ramadan

A recent influx of displaced people from North Darfur State has brought a new set of challenges to the Al-Sarraf camp in eastern Sudan. The camp, intended as a sanctuary for those fleeing conflict, has become a site of deprivation. Families who fled el-Fasher have reported lacking basic necessities such as food, medicine, and cooking utensils.

According to Sanaa Ahmed, one of the displaced women, the lack of resources is particularly pronounced during Ramadan, a holy month traditionally marked by community, prayer, and shared meals. “We fled here with nothing,” she said. “Now we don’t even have a pot to cook in or a cup to drink from.”

The camp’s food distribution system has been criticized for being inadequate, with families receiving minimal rations that are insufficient to meet their needs. Majd Abdullah described receiving a single bowl of porridge to feed her family of seven or 10 people.

In addition to food shortages, the camp is also struggling with sanitation and hygiene issues. Sanaa Ahmed reported cases of diarrhoea and eye infections, citing poor bathroom conditions and inadequate cleaning tools.

The United Nations has acknowledged the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ atrocities in el-Fasher, which have had a devastating impact on displaced communities. The aid that does arrive is often insufficient to meet the needs of those living in the camp.

Displaced women are particularly vulnerable to these shortages, with many struggling to access basic necessities such as medicine and medical care. Mawaheb Ibrahim, a diabetic who lost her mother, sister, and uncle to shelling in el-Fasher, described her struggles with accessing medication and proper care at local health centers.

As Ramadan continues, the situation in Al-Sarraf camp remains dire, with families facing daily struggles to find enough food and resources to survive.

Source: Al Jazeera