The war-torn country of Sudan has been facing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023. The devastating effects of the war have left countless families displaced, struggling to survive in the midst of violence and chaos. Esraa, a young mother, found herself in the heart of this turmoil, desperately trying to seek medical help for her newborn son amidst the shelling and gunfire.
As she cradled her sick baby in her arms, Esraa attempted to make her way to a health clinic for treatment. However, the roads were blocked by fighting, leaving her stranded and helpless. Tragically, her son passed away before she could reach the clinic, a heartbreaking loss that would haunt her for years to come.
When Esraa became pregnant again in August of the following year, the fear of losing another child loomed over her like a dark cloud. With only one functioning maternal hospital left in Khartoum, the danger of seeking medical care was ever-present. The city had become a dangerous place to navigate, with one of Esraa’s neighbors losing her life on the way to the hospital.
Throughout the war, Esraa and her family were constantly on the move, seeking refuge in different areas as the safety of one place quickly turned into peril. Eventually, they found themselves in a crowded shelter with other displaced people from Khartoum, facing dire conditions and uncertain futures.
Khartoum, once a bustling city, now lay in ruins with vast areas resembling ghost towns. The shelters set up for the displaced population were overcrowded, lacking basic hygiene essentials, and with food scarcity reaching critical levels. Many people in Sudan were battling severe hunger as the country faced unprecedented levels of acute food insecurity.
As the crisis deepened, diseases like polio and cholera began to spread, adding to the already dire situation. Accessing healthcare became a monumental challenge for the people of Khartoum, as most medical facilities had been destroyed or left without essential supplies.
Esraa’s journey through pregnancy in the midst of war was fraught with fear and uncertainty. Arriving at the shelter five months pregnant, she described it as moving from one grave to another, with constant dread hanging over their heads. Hope seemed like a distant memory in a land ravaged by conflict and despair.
In the midst of this chaos, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of a mobile health team supported by UNFPA. These roving responders provided reproductive health and protection services to women and girls in the shelter, offering a lifeline in the midst of darkness. Mohamed Hasan Nahat, the coordinator of the team, emphasized the crucial role they played in preventing maternal deaths and providing essential medical services in war-affected areas.
Esraa received antenatal care and micronutrients from the mobile team, who made regular visits to ensure her well-being. They not only provided medical assistance but also offered a sense of safety and hope that had been missing for so long. When Esraa gave birth to a healthy baby boy four months later, she did so with the support of the mobile team, naming her son Mohamed after the doctor who had helped her through the ordeal.
UNFPA had deployed 56 mobile health teams across 11 states in Sudan, offering a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness. These teams worked tirelessly to provide essential healthcare services to those in need, bridging the gap in a country torn apart by war and suffering.
The story of Esraa and her family is just one of many untold tales of resilience and survival in war-torn Sudan. Amidst the devastation and despair, there are glimmers of hope and acts of kindness that remind us of the strength of the human spirit. As the conflict rages on, organizations like UNFPA continue to provide vital support to those affected, offering a lifeline in a sea of uncertainty and chaos.
