By Mamer Abraham Kuot
Thousands of families in Sudan’s El-Geneina region are facing the sting of hunger, reports a Brussels-based Sudan Solidarity Network (SSN).
El-Geneina is one of the war-ravaged parts of Sudan with several patients, seeking healthcare currently amidst deteriorating military campaigns across the country. The latest reports indicate that patients and their caretakers go days without food.
“For thousands of families in Sudan, survival is no longer only about medicine. At El Geneina Hospital in West Darfur, hundreds of relatives remain day and night at the bedside of their loved ones without food,” reports SSN.
These families lost livelihoods to violence and are now unable to afford a single meal a day. The Network states explicitly that food shortages are a major hindrance to patients’ recovery.
“Hunger makes the burden of caring for loved ones even heavier and can hinder patients’ recovery,” it states.
Aid cut and growing needs
According to Peace Direct, the January 2025 USAID aid cut forced organizations which delivered humanitarian assistance to displaced persons to suspend their major projects.
“The consequences of the USAID cuts in Sudan have been devastating. We were forced to stop work on four major projects this year,” reads part of a report.
The United Nations has estimated that more than 14 million people are displaced from Sudan including over 9 million internally displaced while about 4.4 million people have crossed the border to Chad, South Sudan and Egypt.
To respond to this, Women’s Emergency Response Room, an organization based in El-Geneina has set up a community kitchen inside the hospital where it provides 500 freshly cooked breakfasts for patients and caregivers daily.
The organization needs an estimated weekly cost of 1500 Euros to provide this assistance which not only entails food but also dignity, hope and solidarity to the vulnerable communities.
“They need €1500 per week to cover the costs. We are asking you to donate and share the campaign with your networks,” the network wrote.
“Donations can be on a recurrent basis or one time. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps ensure that families do not have to choose between staying beside a sick loved one and finding something to eat.”
Genesis of conflict
The conflict in Sudan broke out on April 15, 2023, between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting into massive displacement. Records indicate Sudan’s displacement crisis as one of the world’s worst emergencies. The Emergency Response Room (ERRs) has been providing an emergency humanitarian aid to families fleeing the conflict.
This support covering food assistance, community support, emergency response and humanitarian aid has been filling the gap left by funding shortages and inability of the international NGOs to reach areas worse hit by the conflict.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf recently met with the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sudan to the African Union, Elzein Ibrahim Hussein. Their discussion aimed at peace and security in the Sudan and peace efforts.
Youssouf promised to visit Sudan in the soonest time possible while reaffirming the commitment of the African Union to peace, stability, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Sudan.
Donation page link: Feed Hope at El Geneina Hospital – Crowdfunding Steunactie