In the midst of Sudan’s devastating civil war, a mother named Touma was forced to make an unimaginable choice: she could only afford lifesaving antibiotics for one of her twin daughters, leaving the other to succumb to malnutrition and illness. This heart-wrenching decision underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where conflict has stripped families of their livelihoods and access to essential care.
Touma, a 25-year-old mother, sits silently in Bashaer Hospital in Khartoum, holding her three-year-old daughter Masajed, who is severely malnourished and too weak to cry. The family was forced to flee their home after paramilitary forces looted their possessions, escaping with only their lives. Now, with no money or food, Touma’s children fell ill, and the hospital, while offering free basic care, requires families to pay for critical medicines. Faced with this reality, Touma chose to save her other twin, Manahil, knowing that Masajed might not survive.
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Khartoum, once a vibrant city, has been transformed into a battlefield, with civilians trapped in crossfire, artillery bombardments, and drone strikes. The conflict has displaced millions and destroyed infrastructure, leaving hospitals overwhelmed and under-resourced. Many families, like Touma’s, have lost everything and struggle to afford even basic necessities.
Children like Zaher, a 12-year-old boy, have suffered life-altering injuries. While selling lentils with his mother to survive, a drone strike hit them, resulting in both of Zaher’s legs being amputated below the knee. His mother, Habibah, recounts the horror of that day and their inability to afford prosthetic limbs that could restore his mobility. Zaher dreams of playing football again with his friends, a simple joy now out of reach due to the war’s brutality.
The humanitarian emergency is staggering, with the UN reporting that three million children under five are acutely malnourished. Hospitals like Bashaer are among the few still functioning, but they are inundated with cases. Doctors on the malnutrition ward grimly note that survival rates are low, and many children will not make it without urgent intervention. The war has not only caused physical harm but also deep psychological scars, with families left with no means to save their loved ones.
Education and childhood have been stolen from Sudan’s youth. Schools, playgrounds, and football pitches lie in ruins, and millions of children are out of school. In makeshift classrooms, volunteers try to provide some normalcy, but teachers report that students are traumatized, using violent language and exhibiting anxiety. Food shortages mean many children come to school hungry, further hindering their development and future prospects.
Despite the despair, moments of resilience shine through. Zaher, though confined to a wheelchair, drags himself across a scarred football pitch to play with friends, finding joy in the game. His classmates, in a temporary school, express hopes for a future without fear of bombs and bullets. These small acts of bravery highlight the indomitable spirit of Sudan’s children amid adversity, even as they cling to dreams of normalcy.
The ongoing conflict shows no signs of abating, and the international community’s response remains critical. Without increased aid and a peaceful resolution, more families will face impossible choices, and a generation of children risks being lost to war. The story of Touma and her twins is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for humanitarian support in Sudan to prevent further tragedies.