Ramadan in Sudan is marked by escalating prices and scarcity of food due to ongoing conflict and severe inflation. Many families face difficulties affording basic essentials, while regions like Darfur experience famine and disruption of supply routes. Humanitarian aid efforts are hampered, and traditional celebrations of Ramadan have diminished significantly amid the crisis.
In Port Sudan, residents are facing steep prices for basic necessities as they prepare for Ramadan amid ongoing conflict in the country. The war, lasting nearly two years, has led to food shortages and inflation, diminishing the usual festive spirit associated with the holy month that commenced recently. Sugar, essential for breaking the fast, is priced at 2,400 Sudanese pounds ($1) per kilo, while veal costs 24,000 pounds and mutton 28,000 pounds—well beyond the reach of many families.
The average monthly salary is approximately $60, yet many public workers have not received pay due to the conflict. The local currency’s value has plummeted, exacerbating the financial strain as it has devalued from 600 to 2,400 pounds against the US dollar. This dramatic inflation, recorded at 145 percent in January, raises concerns not only about affordability but also the availability of food in some areas.
Humanitarian conditions in Sudan have worsened, particularly in regions affected directly by the fighting between rival military factions, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing over 12 million individuals. Famine is prevalent in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, where food supply routes are compromised, and starvation looms over the population. Many residents from these regions have resorted to consuming peanut shells and tree leaves in a desperate struggle for survival.
Ongoing violence has hampered the efforts of aid organizations, further inflating the spiraling hunger crisis. The UN’s World Food Programme has suspended operations in some famine-stricken areas due to increased hostilities. Omar Manago, a humanitarian worker in North Darfur, highlighted the dire circumstances, stating, “There is a severe shortage of drinking water and food. Many families have not eaten a proper meal in months.”
Without an increase in humanitarian support, UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk as Sudan edges towards greater chaos and potential atrocities. In North Darfur, most markets have been destroyed, and looting prevails in many conflict-stricken regions, critically depleting food stocks.
In Khartoum, intensified military confrontations have rendered it challenging to distribute the limited aid available. Traditional Ramadan customs have been severely impacted, with diminished volunteer efforts to provide iftar meals to the needy. Sabrine Zerouk lamented the absence of such community support, emphasizing, “That is no longer happening like before.” Residents miss the shared family experiences and decorations that typically mark Ramadan.
In summary, the celebration of Ramadan in Sudan is overshadowed by a severe humanitarian crisis intensified by ongoing conflict, inflation, and famine. As prices soar, many families struggle to afford basic staples, and in conflict-affected regions, access to food has become alarmingly scarce. The urgency for humanitarian assistance is critical to prevent further loss of life as traditional practices fall by the wayside amid dire economic conditions.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
