The ongoing conflict in Khartoum, Sudan, has led to significant casualties and displacement, with bodies being extracted from sewage pits indicating brutal violence. The humanitarian situation is critical, marked by famine and severe shortages of food and clean water. Community kitchens serve as vital support for survival amid the chaos, as the war continues to devastate the capital’s infrastructure and economy.
In Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, the humanitarian situation has drastically deteriorated as a result of ongoing conflict between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Red Crescent workers have reported retrieving deceased individuals from a sewage pit, with an overwhelming stench permeating the area. Victims have exhibited signs of violent death, with indications of gunshot wounds and severe injuries. Amidst two years of relentless war, much of Khartoum now lies in ruins, forcing millions to flee or survive amid devastation.
Since April 2023, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo have been engaged in fierce battles. The significant loss of life continues, with UN estimates indicating tens of thousands dead and over 12 million displaced. Urban environments have transformed drastically, with abandoned infrastructure standing in stark contrast to Khartoum’s previous vibrancy. Although the army has regained control of select areas, RSF forces remain resilient, with Daglo asserting that they will not vacate the capital.
An AFP convoy, under military protection, revealed the magnitude of destruction across Bahri, illustrating a landscape filled with ruins and abandoned buildings. Formerly lively streets are now littered with debris, while many civilians exhibit signs of trauma. Salha Shams El-Din, a local resident, recounted witnessing bodies being disposed of in the sewage pit. Living conditions for those who remain are dire, characterized by a lack of electricity, clean water, and adequate food supplies.
In Bahri, community kitchens have become essential for survival, providing critical meals for those enduring hunger. Residents prepare Ramadan meals using rudimentary methods, as access to resources remains limited. The UN has acknowledged these kitchens as a vital support in countering mass starvation, although they have faced considerable challenges during the conflict. While conditions have improved somewhat, the effects of the power struggle between Burhan and Daglo have spiraled into severe humanitarian crises, including widespread famine. In areas such as Khartoum, over 100,000 individuals are reported to be facing conditions indicative of famine.
The conflict in Khartoum has escalated into a severe humanitarian crisis, underscored by enormous loss of life and significant displacement of the population. As the army battles RSF forces, the deterioration of basic living conditions has led to widespread hunger and desperation among the remaining residents. Efforts to provide food and support are severely hampered by violence and insecurity, reflecting a dire need for international intervention to address the crisis.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
