Khartoum, once a lively city, has become unrecognizable due to a brutal civil war that has lasted over twenty-one months. The conflict between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces has led to widespread destruction, leaving civilians in dire need of basic resources. With 11 million displaced and critical supply shortages, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and the war’s death toll exceeds 150,000, while hopes for peace remain dim.
Devastation in Khartoum: A City Transformed
The once vibrant landscapes of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, are now barely recognizable. For over twenty-one months, the nation has been engulfed in a brutal civil war, marked by fierce confrontations between the government forces and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group accused of numerous atrocities and war crimes. Their primary objective is to seize power from General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the current leader of the military junta. Amidst the chaos, a severe humanitarian crisis has emerged, leaving civilians deprived of essential resources such as water, food, and safe shelter.
A Desolate Ghost Town
In Bahri, a neighborhood to the north of Khartoum, the destruction is evident. Abandoned homes dot the landscape, and only a few residents remain, haunting the rubble in search of survival. Despite the official army’s recent territorial gains, sporadic fighting continues to plague the area. “The whole region is perilous; that’s why you don’t see anyone here anymore. Residents have fled, and enemies can infiltrate at any time. Some are Sudanese, while others are foreign mercenaries. They show no respect and act with brutality,” explains a loyalist soldier.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 11 million Sudanese have been forced to leave their homes, with many now residing in makeshift camps under tents in arid regions. “We are cold at night and sleep outdoors,” shares a mother in a heartfelt testimony. “From our hometown, there are countless dead. Even escaping was a challenge. The rebels shot at people in their cars,” recounts a distraught man. “This conflict is not merely against the national army or government; it is a war against the Sudanese people,” he emphasizes.
Critical supply points are scarce in a country facing what UNICEF describes as an “unprecedented food catastrophe.” With demands far exceeding supply, portions of soup and wheat are carefully rationed, and individuals stand in long lines, hesitant to express their hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme provides food on a monthly basis, primarily for community kitchens. Ibrahim, who oversees the distribution, clarifies, “Those receiving the food often sell it to me for cash, allowing them to eat for free here.”
Meanwhile, hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties. Most healthcare facilities have been decimated by airstrikes, yet the Omdurman hospital, located just across from Khartoum, continues to function. “And still, this is nothing today,” admits the director. “Our patients are non-combatants, innocent people who sought no conflict.” Many arrive in critical condition; one 14-year-old boy lies in a coma after an explosion, while another patient has suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
“In addition to the direct casualties of the war, there are countless others unable to access hospitals like ours due to the conflict, those facing chronic illnesses, and those completely obstructed by militias from receiving care,” the director adds.
The civil war’s toll has surpassed 150,000 lives, and the prospects for a ceasefire appear bleak, with the international community struggling to find a resolution. The sole hope for the Sudanese people lies in the possibility of returning to a semblance of normalcy.