In Sudan, the war which began on April 15, 2023 “ could create the world’s largest hunger crisis » alerted the World Food Program (WFP) in early March. In Khartoum, community kitchens have been set up to help each other, particularly during this Ramadan period. Testimonials.
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At Sudan, despite calls for a ceasefire for Ramadan, fighting continues between the armed forces of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitaries of General Mohammed Hamdan Dogolo known as “Hemedti”. Fights which began on April 15, 2023.
In the capital Khartoum, fighting even intensified last week with the army regaining control of the Sudanese Radio and Television buildings in Omdurman (March 12).
Read alsoSudan: the army continues its advance in the city of Omdurman
In these conditions, how can we celebrate Ramadan under bombs? While less than 5% of Sudanese can afford a full meal, says the World Food Program (WFP). This UN agency now fears the largest hunger crisis in the world.
“ Fortunately, there are also more people abroad who give »
Duaa lives in an eastern neighborhood of Khartoum. She volunteers in a community kitchen. Every day, with other residents of the neighborhood, she prepares food for those who have not been able to leave the capital. “ This year, Ramadan has become a question of survivalshe says on the microphone ofAlexandra Brangeon. Usually in this month people buy a lot of things to eat, a lot of sweets, decorations, clothes. This year it’s totally different, the Sudanese have no money. But, in the end, it brought them closer. There are no more luxurious products, no more expensive products, we are simply focused on having something to eat “.
She continues: “ We haven’t had access to the Internet for several weeks, so people can’t access their money, can’t receive money transfers from abroad. All the products we have, we share them in community kitchens. In the neighborhood where I live, there are six, where we all prepare food together. We have a big pot, and then we distribute to everyone who needs it, especially to those who are displaced. In this district alone, we have 26 distribution points. People are really dependent on these community kitchens to be able to eat. »
Today, there are dozens across Khartoum. Personal initiatives, very often financed by the Sudanese diaspora, who send funds via telephone applications, explains Yusuf, a young Sudanese living in Great Britain: “ These are simply volunteers who gathered by neighborhood. They buy in large quantities, everything they can find that is not expensive, onions, lentils, prepare it and distribute it once a day. With food insecurity, there are more and more initiatives of this type, and more people to feed. Fortunately, there are also more people abroad who are giving. »
There’s a lot of mutual support at the moment, he adds, because everyone is in the same boat.