Hundreds of thousands of people flee intense fighting in Sudan’s Wad Madani

Islamic Relief forced to suspend vital programmes and evacuate staff

Around 300,000 people have fled the city of Wad Madani in central Sudan as fighting rages in and around the city, and desperate civilians are running out of safe places to go.

Five days of heavy fighting has forced Islamic Relief and many other aid agencies to temporarily halt humanitarian work there and evacuate some staff out of the city.

Wad Madani has been an oasis of relative calm during the past eight months since war broke out across Sudan, and around half a million people have sought shelter in the city after fleeing violence in other parts of the country. Now they have to flee again.

The city is the capital of Sudan’s Al Jazirah province, a major agricultural region known as the country’s breadbasket. The new fighting there risks worsening Sudan’s already extreme hunger crisis, with more than 20.3 million people across the country already facing acute food insecurity as the war has forced people off their land and stopped farmers from planting. With the capital Khartoum extremely dangerous, Wad Madani has become a hub for aid agencies and the latest fighting will further hamper the aid effort across the country.

Islamic Relief staff remaining in Wad Madani report that intensive fighting has continued throughout today. Other staff fled to the town of Sennar only to find it too was under attack.

Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Sudan, was in Wad Madani when the fighting broke out: “In Wad Madani Islamic Relief has been providing people with emergency aid and supporting local hospitals with food, fuel and medicine. But we’ve had to suspend our programmes and evacuate some of our staff – especially female staff, as we feared for their safety in the city as sexual violence increases.

“Tens of thousands of people previously fled to Wad Madani believing it was safe. They’re now on the move again – many have fled further south to Sennar, where many people are now sleeping on the streets. Others are going to Gedaref in eastern Sudan.

“The area where people feel safe in our country is shrinking smaller by the day. We fear this fighting will now spread east to Gedaref, which is a hub for the humanitarian response across the country.”

Wad Madani has been under the control of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), but the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) now claim to have captured the city. Fighting began last Friday and has intensified since then.

All of Islamic Relief’s staff in Al Jazirah are Sudanese – some of them have now been evacuated to other parts of Sudan, while some of the local staff from Wad Madani have remained in the city. The city’s main bridge and markets are all closed.

Sudan’s conflict, which broke out in April, has so far forced at least 5.4 million people from their homes. 24.8 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian aid.

Huge Gaza death toll is likely to be even higher than reported

As the official death toll in Gaza passes 20,000, Islamic Relief is warning that the actual toll is likely to be even higher – as thousands of people are still missing and buried under the rubble and young children are increasingly suffering severe hunger and disease.

To see 20,000 people killed in such a short space of time is a stain on the world’s conscience. The thousands of people killed are not just statistics – they are humanitarian workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, journalists, farmers, shopkeepers, artists, labourers and all sectors of Palestinian society. The vast majority of those killed and injured are civilians, with 40% of them children. Relatives of Islamic Relief staff have also been killed in their homes or as they fled on Israeli orders.

As a humanitarian organisation Islamic Relief responds to horrific wars and crises all over the world, but we have rarely if ever witnessed killing and destruction at this speed and scale. International law is being wilfully ignored on a daily basis. With the death toll still rising every hour, the UN Security Council must demand an immediate ceasefire. Every further day of delay costs many more lives. Only an immediate and lasting ceasefire can protect civilians and begin to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation.

More than 10 weeks of relentless Israeli assault has flattened much of Gaza and left civilians desperately searching for food, water, medicine and fuel. Most people are now going whole days without food and most civilians are now suffering severe hunger. Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into makeshift shelters, and heavy rain and falling temperatures are making conditions even worse as tents have been flooded and children are rapidly becoming sick.

Despite a small number of aid trucks now entering through Kerem Shalom as well as Rafah, the amount of aid being allowed into Gaza is still a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. With markets now almost empty, Israel continues to ban commercial trucks from entering. Humanitarian aid alone will not be anywhere near enough to address this crisis and it is essential that crossings are reopened to commercial supplies as well.

As well as the 20,000 or more killed, over 52,000 people have also been wounded – with many suffering life-changing injuries such as loss of limbs.

Intense Israeli bombardments and ground attacks are continuing despite mounting global pressure for a ceasefire. In the past few days more hospitals have been besieged and homes, refugee camps and school shelters have been bombed. Telecommunications and internet continue to be cut off in much of Gaza for days at a time, restricting information and making aid delivery even more difficult. There are widespread reports of civilians being detained and abused.

Places of worship have come under unprecedented attack, with at least 112 mosques and three churches now damaged by bombing – including many that are sheltering families who have been forced from their homes.

The scale of destruction is staggering with at least 60% of homes and 69% of schools now reportedly damaged or destroyed, and almost 80% of hospitals no longer able to function. The need for a permanent humanitarian ceasefire is greater than ever.

December in Gaza used to be filled with celebration, this year, there is only fear and sadness

As Gaza’s displaced families suffer from a drop in temperatures, an Islamic Relief aid worker* describes biting shortages and a December unlike any other.

It’s been almost 8 days since the last time I shared our story with you. We have been disconnected from the internet and our phones this whole time. It’s been like the Dark Ages. People who want to check on their family and friends have to travel on foot or ride a horse and cart to do so. Of course, in our current situation, making such a journey comes with huge risks. It reminded me of The Kingsroad in Game of Thrones, where travelers could face danger at any moment.

The situation here is getting worse every moment. Winter, like in Game of Thrones, has already come. Last week we had heavy rainfall. Rain used to be a pleasant sight for the Palestinians and we enjoyed it, but people are now living in plastic tents in the streets, without any source of heating. People fled their homes at the beginning of October, when it was still relatively hot. They wore light summer clothes and most didn’t pack for winter. It is now very cold and no one has suitable clothes.

My children are feeling the cold. My daughter is always saying that she has a stomachache. I tell her she will be okay, but she is drinking unclean water; she is eating poor, mostly canned, food; she is wearing only a few layers of clothing. It’s certain that she’ll get sick. In fact, if any person gets sick in the house, everyone will become ill.

Healthcare centres and hospitals are barely able to handle the flow of wounded arriving at their emergency rooms, let alone deal with people feeling ill. A few days ago, my brother got a bad cold. He was shivering and crying in pain. My mum urged me to take him to the hospital, but I told her they would laugh at me at the hospital if I brought someone who was only suffering from a cold. I went to the pharmacy to get some paracetamol for him, but there was no medication available – very few stores still have medicine.

My colleague, who I’ve told you about before, can’t find diapers for her daughter. I’ve heard reports that in parts of the enclave women can’t find sanitary pads. It’s an unimaginable situation. Palestinian people have to suffer even for the smallest things.

A vibrant city now sick and pale

Yesterday, I went out to get my hair cut. In the streets, one can see people’s faces full of despair, sadness, and loss. The city used to be vibrant, full of life. Now, it is sick and pale. There is smoke coming out of every house as people burn wood to prepare food. The streets are full of rubbish since there is no fuel for the trucks that would usually collect it. Some of the taxis have started running their cars on cooking oil – another Palestinian invention to adapt to this siege. It gets the cars moving, but is polluting the air and suffocating the passengers.

There are donkeys and horses in every street. There are people carrying plastic gallons looking for water. There are stalls in the markets selling batteries, flashlights, phone chargers, canned food, and few vegetables are to be found. The scenes are dystopian.

The barber told me he is letting go of his shop. He explained that he does not have any power to charge his tools. The owner of the building wants to kick him out and use the place. He can’t pay the rent because he is not working. It’s only because I’d been his father’s customer that he welcomed me in and cut my hair.

Celebrations all over the world, except for Gaza

Dear readers, we are totally on the verge of collapse. We’ve lost our beloved relatives and friends, our homes, our streets, and our city. We are trying to stand tall despite all these losses, but we can’t. It hurts me to spend December in displacement. I remember Gaza at this time of year as full of decorations, lights and colors. I would walk in the streets and see the clothes shops putting on end-of-year sales, restaurants making special offers, and many places announcing Christmas events.

This year, I see people all over the world celebrating, but in Gaza we are living in hard times. All the world is buying gifts, but we are happy if we can find a kilo of salt or an ounce of coffee. People around the world are listening to music, and we are listening to drones buzzing and the sounds of bombs and explosions.

I am sorry, my readers, I do not want your celebrations to stop, but I want our story to carry on and I want this war to end right now.

Please help Islamic Relief support people in desperate need in Gaza: Donate to our Palestine Appeal now.

*This blog is anonymised to protect the safety and security of our colleague and others mentioned. Read the other blogs in this series here.

Editor’s note: This blog was submitted amid a fast-changing and deepening crisis. The information was correct as of 18 December 2023.

“Since the truce ended, I fear the grave is the only safe place in Gaza.”

The end of the temporary truce sees Palestinian families facing fresh fear and tanks at their door, reports an Islamic Relief aid worker* in Gaza.

It is day 58 since the escalation began, but it feels like 58 years. My hair is turning grey. My house is damaged. My work is suspended. I do not leave the house. I am becoming anxious and could drop into depression. I don’t feel I want to keep writing this blog: I do not feel I have the power to continue telling the story, which is the same story of suffering.

My dear readers, I have been thinking death is better than this life. Once we lived in dignity, but now our dignity is being violated in every possible way.

We count lost lives while the world watches

Just 10 minutes after the humanitarian pause ended, the heavy airstrikes and bombing started again, the terrifying sounds dragging me and my family from sleep. The bedroom window was shaking with the noise, terrifyingly loud. My young son asked me if the truce was over, but I didn’t know.

Now, I know that in the first 24 hours since the violence restarted, more than 190 people were killed.

Palestinians keep counting the lives lost, and the world keeps watching. I have lost hope that anyone can put an end to this madness – none of the world leaders seem to care. I have lost faith in this world. I lost faith in humanity. Humanitarian law is applied only to select people and we Palestinians, do not appear to be among them. We are denied any rights. We do not even die with dignity. Our bodies are torn apart and we are smashed under the rubble of our homes.

Why is this happening? What have we ordinary families done? The only force that keeps us standing is our faith. Our strong belief that Allah will help us. He is the almighty, the most merciful, the powerful. Alhamdulillah.

Nowhere is safe in Gaza

Yesterday was the second day after the humanitarian pause. It was midday when we heard news that tanks had started entering the area between the middle area and the south. We thought the south of Gaza was a safe place. It turned out nowhere is safe in our country. The safest place is where the dead are buried – but even then, sometimes graveyards have been hit by airplanes.

As the reports kept coming about the land invasion in the south, I worried about my friends living there. I called my friends there, they used to work for Islamic Relief. Hamza* told me they had to evacuate their home; and my phone call with Nour* cut off just after she screamed, “A rocket, a rocket!”

I managed to get her on the phone again, and she explained that, “We can hear the sound of tanks outside. We can’t leave. They are bombing and we can hear gunfire all around.” I was very worried about her. I could not help her.

Nour was about 1km away from me, so I knew the tanks would be heading our way. Everyone in the house was frightened. My brother gathered the kids and said, “The situation is very dangerous now. I want you all to gather all your courage and stay calm. Please listen to the instructions the adults give you.”

One of the kids asked him, “Will the tanks destroy our house?” The kids always think of questions that we cannot answer – how could we possibly know?

We lived a hell of a night. The sounds of bombing and shelling never stopped. I could also hear heavy gunfire, maybe from a tank or helicopter. But we survived, Alhamdulillah.

There really is a war zone over the heads of civilians like me, my wife, and young children, who may be forced to flee yet again. We rearranged our emergency bag because the next time we flee it might be on foot. We might have to stay in tents. We might lose everything. We might be dead.

Please help Islamic Relief support people in desperate need in Gaza: Donate to our Palestine Appeal now.

*This blog is anonymised to protect the safety and security of our colleague and others mentioned. Read the other blogs in this series here.

Editor’s note: This blog was submitted amid a fast-changing and deepening crisis. The information was correct as of 4 December 2023.

“My disability is a part of me, yet it does not define my limits.”

As we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Islamic Relief is proud to highlight some of the remarkable individuals with disabilities who are building a more inclusive society. Among them is Fatoumata, a determined Malian woman.

Fatoumata lives in the village of Magnambougou, in southwestern Mali. At 47 she has the busy life of a mother of 3 and is a dedicated wife who successfully juggles running a vibrant household with gardening and managing a small retail business to boost her family’s income.

Fatoumata’s life took an unexpected turn when she developed her disability during pregnancy, but she refuses to let this challenge hinder her contribution to her family and community.

“My disability is part of me, but it does not define my limits,” she says.

The way of life in Magnambougou follows a pattern that has lasted for centuries. The mainstays of income for many, including Fatoumata, are agriculture, gardening, and small-scale animal husbandry.

Fatoumata’s days are filled with the kind of activities that sustain not just her family but also the rest of her community: from cultivating her garden with crops like cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes, to running a small shop that serves the everyday needs of her neighbours. She has transformed her small garden into a source of sustenance and joy.

At the heart of community action

Islamic Relief has had a profound impact on Fatoumata’s life, recognising her potential and empowering her. She now plays a pivotal role in devising projects for women’s advancement and brings the perspective of people with disabilities to the Magnambougou community action team.

The team’s work has had a positive impact, improving protection for vulnerable women and children, tackling gender-based violence, and providing comprehensive training on children’s rights, spousal rights, and the inclusion of people living with disabilities.

The impact of Fatoumata’s leadership is palpable within her community. Islamic Relief’s initiatives, with Fatoumata and other members of the community action team at their heart, have significantly reduced the violence and abuse once commonplace in Magnambougou. The efforts of faith leaders and community action teams have helped to improve harmony within families and communication between children and parents, leading to a more inclusive and supportive village environment.

Sustainable development in action

With a grant from Islamic Relief, Fatoumata bought a water pump, which has revolutionised the way she irrigates her garden and has improved both the yield and quality of her crops. This, in turn, has bolstered her small business, allowing her to record profits that contribute significantly to her family’s income.

“These activities are not just for financial gain,” Fatoumata says proudly, “They are a symbol of what people with disabilities can achieve with the right support.”

A call to deepen our commitment

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Islamic Relief reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and the empowerment of people living with disability. Fatoumata’s story is among many that demonstrate our commitment to lifting women out of poverty and helping them achieve financial autonomy.

By donating to Islamic Relief, you can help extend the reach of empowering projects that enable more people like Fatoumata to lead fulfilling lives. Your donation can break down barriers and build bridges toward a more inclusive future.

Help us to continue our vital work to change the narrative around women and disability, ensuring vulnerable women are empowered to transform their lives: please donate now.

There’s no route out of crisis for Afghanistan if hope is not restored to women

For years Islamic Relief’s humanitarian advocacy adviser Aman Soufi has been studying the mounting crisis in Afghanistan. As the country marks 2 years since a major shift in power, she reflects on the harsh realities facing Afghan women and girls.

The people of Afghanistan yearn for a life filled with productivity, hope, and prosperity. Sadly, this is a far cry from the reality in a country scarred by decades of conflict, political upheaval, and economic crisis.

Two years since power shifted, the humanitarian situation is worse than ever, with unparalleled levels of need and critical shortages in humanitarian funding worsened by the challenges posed by climate change.

Many people are struggling to survive, and for women and girls the situation is particularly dire.

The hopes of Afghan women on hold

The hopes of Afghan women and girls to actively participate in their communities have been put on hold indefinitely.

Public spaces such as parks, gyms, and public baths have become off limits for women and girls, effectively reshaping Afghan society into one in which only men’s interests matter.

Heartbreakingly, their access to education – an empowering, life-changing fundamental right – is now severely restricted.

An edict forbidding girls aged 13 and above from going to school is depriving 2 million children of secondary education. Women have been barred from attending universities, and from taking the exams required to complete medical school, or to pursue medical specialists.

While female doctors are still allowed to work, alarm is mounting that in the future the women of Afghanistan may be cut off from access to vital healthcare if women are not able to graduate and enter the medical profession.

Crisis upon crisis: Afghanistan’s road to stability and prosperity is crumbling

Alongside its multi-faceted economic crisis, Afghanistan faces more frequent and severe droughts – thanks to climate change – as well as disease outbreaks; and the lingering consequences of prolonged conflict.

It’s a devastating combination.

The result is significant barriers to equitable access to healthcare, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and justice for the people of Afghanistan.

A humanitarian crisis of this magnitude demands urgent attention from the global community, which has so far fallen disastrously short.

As of August, only 24.8% of the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 has been funded, highlighting the critical need for additional funds. Consequently, the fulfilment of human rights, human development, and long-term national stability and prosperity are being severely undermined.

Moving beyond humanitarian aid

Afghanistan’s circumstances are complex, fragile and fluid. The country lacks relationships with the international community, which itself has no distinct strategy for Afghanistan.

Humanitarian aid from organisations such as Islamic Relief can ease the suffering by assisting families with their basic needs – as we have been doing for nearly a quarter of a century. Efforts to safeguard human rights are essential, too.

But these interventions, important as they are, cannot end the crisis in Afghanistan. Halting the suffering of millions requires the international community to remain engaged, and to find alternative partnerships and methods.

Interventions should focus on addressing the root causes of problems, building strength and adaptability in the community, and minimising the chances of conflict arising in the future. There are opportunities to improve access to services, create economic opportunities, foster social cohesion, and protect human rights. Particularly for children and women, whose exclusion is only digging Afghanistan deeper into crisis.

Considering the country’s exposure to climate change and the potential impact of natural disasters, interventions that promote climate resilience should be a top priority. In addition, climate risks must be considered when designing and implementing all humanitarian and development projects.

Islamic Relief’s call to action

In the face of these distressing realities, Islamic Relief is working tirelessly to maintain operations and deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance, and to advocate for every Afghan’s right to life with dignity, especially women and girls’ rights within the civic space.

Islamic Relief believes that everyone in Afghanistan should have access to high-quality essential services, such as health and nutrition, education, sanitation, and social protection. To improve access to services, it is crucial to strengthen coordination across different sectors, building upon humanitarian interventions to enhance long-term sustainability.

I am clearer than ever that legislation that is fair for all Afghans, particularly women, to end the deepening crisis in Afghanistan. Overall, access to education and work opportunities for women are not just a matter of individual rights but also critical for the progress, development, and well-being of the entire community. It can be done. It must be done, because the alternative is unbearable.

Read Islamic Relief in Afghanistan today to learn more about the life-saving work Islamic Relief is doing.

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