Amid a worsening crisis marked by violence, displacement and death, ALIMA continues its life-saving operations in North Darfur, one of the most affected regions of Sudan.
Two years after the conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, the crisis continues to escalate — breaking tragic records:
The highest number of internally displaced people in the world, with nearly 13 million forced to flee their homes in search of safety. More than 30 million people, i.e. 3 in every 5 people living in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance. That is the highest number of people in need ever recorded for a single country. Sudan is facing one of the world’s biggest hunger crises and population displacements. Beyond the massive displacements within the country, neighboring countries are also affected by this crisis, as Sudanese people cross the borders of South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and Chad.
Behind each of these figures, there are real people, families, and communities whose lives are at stake.
“We Had no Choice but to Flee: A Father’s Journey to Safety”
Jabir Issa Mohamed, a teacher and father of 1-year-old Awal, made his way to an ALIMA-supported clinic in Tawila. With a tired voice due to the many days of trekking in the scorching heat, he shares his story:
“As the war began, people were killed and others fled, including my friends and neighbors. Schools were vandalized and children were not spared either. The school I taught at is now a sanctuary for displaced persons, other schools were converted as military garrisons. There was no more learning.”
Before the war, Jabir was a language teacher in one of the Sudanese elementary schools in El Fasher town. However, when the war broke out, all the schools were closed and abandoned, he became jobless and displaced.
“When my son was born, the situation worsened due to increased hostilities. Fearing for our safety, we fled to a small neighboring village. However, after six months, the living conditions became unbearable due to lack of work, money, and food. I had no option but to move my family to Tawila.”
At the ALIMA-supported clinic in Tawila, Awal was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) and diarrhea. He received antibiotics, Oral Rehydration Salts, and health guidance, with a follow-up visit scheduled a week after. According to the WHO, diarrhea and ARIs are leading global killers of children under five, claiming over 400,000 lives annually in Africa.
Sudan’s Frontline: ALIMA Teams Brave the Conflict to Provide Care
ALIMA accompanies and supports 40 Sudanese Ministry of Health staff members who are responsible for managing the overwhelming number of patients in hospitals and mobile clinics. Despite the risks, ALIMA teams and local staff continue to work with unyielding dedication, expanding healthcare services in Tawila and deploying mobile teams to meet the needs of the growing displaced population. In this landscape marked by war and famine, they provide essential health care, pediatrics and maternal health care.
Dr. Sékou Condé, Head of Mission for Sudan explains the difficulties faced on the ground: “The Saudi Hospital, the only functioning hospital in the city, is currently a focal point of our work where local staff are supported by ALIMA. They treat children suffering from severe malnutrition with complications in the stabilization center and they care for children under the age of five in the pediatric ward. Our teams have faced the daunting challenge of relocating to other health structures several times due to increasing insecurity and damaged health facilities, yet they have remained on the ground, ensuring that displaced and host populations receive the care they need.”
The four ALIMA mobile clinics and primary healthcare centers are vital lifelines, with health centers in El Fasher and Tawila providing an average of 500 consultations per day, addressing malnutrition, injuries, and medical emergency conditions for children in the pediatric ward.
Beyond the Clinic: The Long Road to Safety
Even after his child received medical care, Jabir wasn’t completely relieved. The fight for safety continues.
Since 2021, ALIMA has been working to support Sudan’s health and nutrition services, focusing on the most vulnerable populations: children, women, and the elderly. Today, ALIMA, in partnership with GOAL and supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), is delivering life-saving care to thousands of people in North Darfur and Kadugli, South Kordofan. These efforts are taking place in the midst of an ongoing crisis that continues to worsen with no sign of relief.
