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CARE in Sudan: Despite the fighting, lifesaving work continues

Aid worker hands displaced person bars of soap inside a temporary shelter

In Tunaydbah, CARE Sudan distributes two bars of soap to each of the 39 families who arrived from Khartoum, more than 200 miles away. Photo: CARE

In Tunaydbah, CARE Sudan distributes two bars of soap to each of the 39 families who arrived from Khartoum, more than 200 miles away. Photo: CARE

As the fighting in Sudan continues, the situation is increasingly dire for the civilian population. Families in places like Khartoum and Nyala are trapped in their homes, low on food and water, often without power. Wounded people can’t access hospitals.

Before the conflict began, the United Nations estimated one out of every three people in Sudan needed humanitarian assistance. Now, that number has jumped by over 50% to nearly 25 million. Similarly, the UN reported that Sudan already had 3.7 million internally displaced people before the new conflict erupted, and now there are an estimated 843,000 more.

“As a woman, it is scary to go out as I fear being caught in the crossfire, harassed, assaulted, or even raped,” said Nadia*, who lives in Khartoum. “Many women can’t access health services because going outside is so risky.”

Separately, Hiba* told us, “It is still unsafe in Khartoum to go out, especially for women, to search for food, water, and health services as we are afraid of being attacked, looted, or harassed.

“I am trying to stay safe with my family by sheltering at home and trying to avoid shelling and crossfire.”

Refugees and host communities in East Darfur continue to receive clean drinking water despite the fighting in the country. Photo: CARE

Despite these enormous challenges, CARE is continuing its lifesaving health, nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene work where it can.

In East Darfur, CARE Sudan continues to provide clean drinking water to thousands of refugees and host communities — mainly women and children — despite the great operational challenges. Power outages and lack of fuel are putting high pressure on the available water sources.

In Gadarif, CARE Sudan is working around the clock the ensure that refugees in the region – host to thousands of Ethiopian refugees, mostly women and children – have access to adequate water and sanitation services. The construction of semi-fixed latrines is progressing despite the various operational challenges such as lack of fuel, fragile security situation, and power outages.

Aid worker installs a temporary toilet
Humanitarian aid workers in Gadarif continue to construct latrines despite operational challenges because of fighting in the country. Photo: CARE

Beyond East Darfur and Gadarif states, CARE Sudan has also reopened offices in Kassala and South Kordofan. Since the beginning of the crisis, CARE Sudan has continued much of its programming in the face of enormous challenges, reaching more than 185,000 people.

CARE has been operating in Sudan since 1979, implementing humanitarian and development programs particularly focused on women’s and girls’ empowerment, gender justice, humanitarian action, and resilience building.

*Names changed to protect privacy. 

 

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