In brief
Following a week of drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces, Port Sudan has transformed from a safe refuge into a crisis zone, characterized by dire shortages of water and fuel, coupled with increased prices. This precarious situation has left many residents fearing for their safety and livelihoods as humanitarian efforts become increasingly challenged.
Recent drone assaults on Port Sudan have thrust the city into a state of desperation, triggering a sharp rise in water prices and leaving residents bracing for the fallout of ongoing violence. Once seen as a refuge from Sudan's civil war, the city now faces a humanitarian emergency following relentless attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). After six days of bombings, smoke continues to rise from multiple fuel depots, wreaking havoc on essential services and exacerbating existing crises.The civil unrest in Sudan, which erupted over two years ago when rival military factions clashed, has resulted in a staggering humanitarian crisis, displacing over 12 million people. Among those fleeing, 26-year-old Mutasim, who has sought refuge in Port Sudan, recounted the struggle to secure water, now priced at fivefold its previous rate due to damaged infrastructure. “We can't afford this anymore,” he lamented, highlighting the plight of his family as they grapple with dwindling resources for daily needs like cooking and cleaning.Daily life in Port Sudan, while attempting to return to a semblance of normality with open markets, is overshadowed by long queues at petrol stations as fuel becomes increasingly scarce. "It could take me five hours to get petrol," Mutasim shared in a city that was once relatively secure but now mirrors the struggles faced across Sudan.Blackouts have plagued the city for weeks, aggravating conditions for an aging population and denying basic comforts, including ventilation on sweltering nights. Hawa Mustafa, another displaced individual living in Port Sudan, expressed her anxiety over the embattled environment. She described the recent aerial strikes as a grim reminder of the violence she had fled from El-Geneina in Darfur, warning of the increasing fear gripping her family and uncertainty about where they might escape if the situation deteriorates further.Mariam Atta echoed this sentiment, stating, "Life has changed completely," and emphasizing the challenge of coping amid the unrelenting fear cloaking the city. Humanitarian agencies, including the UN's World Food Programme, have used Port Sudan as a vital conduit for aid, but recent attacks jeopardize this lifeline. "These attacks could severely constrain our ability to deliver necessary food and medical supplies," warned Shashwat Saraf from the Norwegian Refugee Council.As night falls, the typically lively atmosphere of Port Sudan is eclipsed by darkness and apprehension, further isolating residents seeking solace in familiar routines. The city, which once served as a vibrant hub for social interaction, now stands silently amid the chaos, with citizens increasingly confined to their homes in search of safety. The severe repercussions of the ongoing conflict continue to unearth profound humanitarian challenges, raising alarms about the future of both Port Sudan and its beleaguered inhabitants.
