Sudanese town faces humanitarian crisis amidst ongoing conflict and displacement

Residents of El-Geneina Face Rising Food and Water Costs Amid Aid Shortfalls

In El-Geneina, Sudan, a city currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), residents are struggling to access basic necessities due to soaring food and water costs. The Faculty of Medicine at the University of el-Geneina has been converted into shelters for displaced families, including Zainab, who lost three of her six children in a June 26, 2024, SAF attack on her home.

Zainab now resides in a small hut on campus grounds with two surviving daughters and is relying on donations to meet their basic needs. She expressed concerns about the high cost of food, clothes, and drink, stating that aid organizations have been unable to cover all residents’ needs. The cost of medical treatment for her injured daughters has also proven prohibitive.

El-Geneina, home to over 120,000 displaced people, is facing numerous challenges. Nagwa, a resident who has not left her home despite losing possessions during the fighting, described the pre-war situation as “good.” However, she noted that life became difficult after the war, with many residents losing homes, belongings, and jobs.

The RSF’s control of el-Geneina since late 2023 has been marked by violence, including ethnically motivated attacks on members of the non-Arab Masalit tribe. The United Nations has described this violence as “some of the worst” committed during the war. Both sides have been accused of committing crimes against civilians.

According to UN officials, more than 50,000 people have been reported killed during the conflict. Aid organizations are struggling to meet the needs of displaced residents, who face rising costs for basic necessities like food and water.

Source: Al Jazeera