In brief
Port Sudan, once a refuge from Sudan's brutal civil war, is now grappling with extreme water and power shortages following a week of drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces. As lives hang in the balance, aid agencies warn of a looming humanitarian crisis.
The recent escalation of violence in Sudan has plunged the coastal city of Port Sudan into chaos, significantly affecting access to essential resources like water and electricity. Once perceived as a safe haven from the ongoing civil conflict, Port Sudan has now been targeted in a series of devastating drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group over the past week. Smoke continues to billow from three damaged fuel depots, paralyzing the city's ability to access diesel, which powers the pumps vital for sourcing groundwater. As a result, water prices have skyrocketed, rising from 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($3.30) to 10,000 pounds ($16.50) in just a week. Residents like 26-year-old Mutasim, displaced by the ongoing crisis, express concern about their increasingly dire circumstances. "Soon, we won't be able to afford it," he lamented.Despite the continued bombardments, life in Port Sudan attempted to maintain a semblance of normalcy, with shops open and markets bustling. However, the reality is stark; residents face hours-long waits at petrol stations, exacerbating the sense of fear and uncertainty in the community. Mutasim reflects on feeling trapped, unable to consider relocating due to the exorbitant costs associated with fleeing war-torn areas.Displaced individuals like Hawa Mustafa have also found refuge in Port Sudan but find themselves confronted with fear and insecurity as drone assaults return their lives to a grim state of war. Living in a shelter with her four children, she reflects on her lost hope of moving to a safer area, worrying about the escalating violence.As the situation deteriorates, humanitarian organizations are increasingly troubled. Port Sudan serves as a crucial lifeline for aid, with the World Food Programme relying on its port and functioning airport to deliver essential supplies. With attacks disrupting aid access, the humanitarian crisis threatens to worsen, leaving many in grave danger. Shashwat Saraf, director of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned that the unforeseen violence could severely hinder critical food and medical supply deliveries, particularly in an environment where famine looms large. Evenings in Port Sudan, once filled with community gatherings by the coast, are now overshadowed by darkness and isolation triggered by electricity shortages. As uncertainty looms, residents remain indoors, acutely aware of the growing threat that disrupts their lives and severs their links to safety and security.
