As Ramadan begins, residents in Sudan face skyrocketing food prices and dire shortages due to the ongoing conflict. Famine grips several regions, with many families struggling to access basic staples. Humanitarian efforts are severely limited, leading to warnings of impending disaster without increased aid. Traditional Ramadan practices have been significantly impacted, highlighting the deepening crisis during this holy month.
In Port Sudan, residents are preparing for Ramadan amidst soaring prices due to the ongoing conflict across the country, which has severely affected affordability for basic goods. In contrast, areas directly impacted by the nearly two-year war are grappling with famine, displacement, and shortages, overshadowing the traditional spirit of Ramadan. A resident lamented that, “We are struggling to afford Ramadan goods,” highlighting the financial burdens citizens face.
In the relative safety of Port Sudan, prices have surged significantly; sugar costs about 2,400 Sudanese pounds per kilogram, while veal and mutton reach 24,000 and 28,000 pounds, respectively. With average monthly wages around $60, many find themselves unable to afford basic necessities as the local currency continues to plummet, now around 2,400 pounds to the US dollar. A resident stated, “Prices are too high, goods are too expensive, people cannot afford them.”
In conflict-affected regions, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan, food supply routes have been disrupted, driving starvation rates up. Reports indicate that famine has reached three displacement camps in North Darfur, with predictions of spreading to more areas soon. In desperate situations, residents have resorted to consuming inedible items such as peanut shells and tree leaves as standard food supplies diminish drastically.
Humanitarian efforts are severely hampered, with the UN’s World Food Programme ceasing operations in certain famine-stricken regions due to escalating violence. Omar Manago, a humanitarian worker, described the conditions: “There is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. Many families have not eaten a proper meal in months.” UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that without a swift increase in aid, countless lives are at risk.
The ongoing violence has resulted in the loss of markets, with many being destroyed, and looting rampant in other regions. In Khartoum, volunteers are attempting to provide assistance, yet they face overwhelming needs. Significant Ramadan traditions have diminished; Sabrine Zerouk noted, “Before the war, volunteers used to line the streets, handing out iftar meals to those who could not make it home in time,
The war in Sudan has cast a dark shadow over the observance of Ramadan, highlighting the challenges faced by residents in affording basic goods and the widespread famine affecting various regions. Efforts to address the dire humanitarian needs are overwhelmed, leading to warnings from officials about the potential for a humanitarian disaster. The loss of cherished traditions has further deepened the sense of despair during this holy month, emphasizing the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance to reach those in need.
Original Source: www.arabnews.jp
