In brief
As violence escalates in Port Sudan due to attacks by the Rapid Support Forces, residents grapple with severe water shortages, skyrocketing prices, and electrical blackouts, having transformed what was once a refuge into a dire humanitarian crisis.
In recent days, Port Sudan has found itself at the mercy of relentless aerial bombardments, igniting a crisis that threatens the health and safety of its residents. Once considered a safe haven within Sudan, the city has been struck by drone strikes from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), forcing its inhabitants to adapt to terrifying new realities.As a direct result of the assaults, skyrocketing water prices have left many families struggling to afford even this essential resource. Mutasim, a local displaced by the conflict, reported that the cost of water surged from 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($3.30) to an untenable 10,000 pounds ($16.60) within just a week. With his family consisting of eight members, he expressed fear of not being able to provide adequate water for cooking and bathing.Port Sudan's black market also displays the strain - while shops and markets remain open, customers face long queues at petrol stations, waiting hours for fuel that previously flowed freely. After fleeing Omdurman, where RSF threats forced their departure, Mutasim reflected on the irony of seeking sanctuary only to face escalating violence again: "We thought we’d left the war behind us.”Local reports reflect that electricity has been spotty at best, with blackouts making conditions difficult, especially for the elderly, as families endure the oppressive heat without fans or air conditioning. Hawa Mustafa, a teacher from Darfur who sought refuge in Port Sudan, expressed her anxiety over the recent attacks bringing back painful memories of earlier violence: "The sounds of drones... remind me of the first days of the war in el-Geneina."In the midst of this turmoil, countless families have been left with no options. Escaping to neighboring countries—a thought some once entertained—now seems unrealistic. Aid organizations reliant on Port Sudan as a distribution hub have expressed grave concerns that the conflict may disrupt the delivery of vital assistance, which is crucial as the country faces famine in several regions. The UN’s World Food Programme provided significant food supplies through Port Sudan, but humanitarian experts warn that the bombardments could hinder future efforts to deliver aid.Once a vibrant city known for its coastal gatherings and communal activities, Port Sudan now lies in the shadows of fear and uncertainty. As evening descends, the streets eerily quiet, the residents of this beleaguered city grasp at hope while facing an increasingly uncertain future.
