Ramadan in War-Torn Sudan: A Struggle Against Famine and Inflation

Residents in Port Sudan are facing soaring prices for basic Ramadan essentials due to the war, which has led to famine and severe supply shortages in affected regions. As inflation continues to rise, many families are struggling to afford necessary food items, with reports indicating dire conditions across the country. The conflict has not only impacted access to food but has also obliterated many cherished Ramadan traditions.

In Port Sudan, as Ramadan approaches, residents face significant challenges in affording essential food items due to escalating prices caused by ongoing conflict in the country. The situation is particularly grave in war-affected regions, where famine, displacement, and looting have overshadowed the holiday’s spirit of generosity, which commenced this past Saturday. In the relatively safer eastern market, staple foods have become prohibitively expensive, costing residents dearly.

The current price of sugar in Port Sudan is 2,400 Sudanese pounds ($1) per kilo, with veal and mutton reaching 24,000 and 28,000 pounds respectively, making it difficult for many families to participate in Ramadan traditions. Local labor unions report an average monthly salary of about $60, with many public workers going unpaid during the conflict. The plummeting value of the local currency has exacerbated inflation, which reached 145 percent in January, leaving families struggling more than ever.

The conflict which began in April 2023 has led to significant loss of life and widespread displacement, pushing portions of Sudan into severe hunger. Entire regions, such as Darfur and Kordofan, have been cut off from food supplies, resulting in famine conditions that threaten more areas. With reports of residents resorting to eating peanut shells and tree leaves, the humanitarian crisis is deepening, compounded by aid agencies’ inability to deliver assistance due to escalating violence.

Humanitarian workers, such as Omar Manago in North Darfur, highlight the dire shortages of essential supplies, indicating that many families have not had a proper meal in months. The UN has warned that without an increase in aid, the risk of mass deaths from famine looms large. In many areas, markets have been devastated amidst ongoing conflict, leaving residents struggling to meet their basic needs during this critical time.

In Khartoum, volunteers are attempting to distribute whatever aid they can find, though demand far surpasses supply. The war has decimated many cherished Ramadan customs, resulting in a significant loss of community engagement, particularly in distributing Iftar meals. Many individuals, like Sabrine Zerouk and Mohamed Moussa, lament the absence of the communal spirit, family gatherings, and traditional Ramadan celebrations that once brought the community together.

The ongoing war in Sudan has severely disrupted the traditional observance of Ramadan, with soaring food prices and widespread shortages overshadowing its spirit. As regions face famine and escalating humanitarian crises, residents struggle to afford basic staples needed to observe the holy month. The situation demands urgent international attention to prevent further loss of life and restore some sense of normalcy amid chaos.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com