A Forgotten Conflict: The Human Cost of Sudan’s Civil War

In Sudan, a brutal civil war has been raging for almost a year now, causing widespread devastation and forcing millions to flee their homes. With over 10 million people displaced, this crisis has become one of the most severe humanitarian disasters worldwide. Among these displaced individuals, a quarter of a million have found refuge in the Nuba Mountains, a remote region in Sudan, where survival is a daily struggle. Despite the difficulty of accessing the region due to the war, a small group of aid workers managed to report on the lives of those who have been caught in the conflict, offering a glimpse into a forgotten war that has received limited global attention.

The Nuba Mountains: A Forgotten Sanctuary

The Nuba Mountains, located in the South Kordofan state of Sudan, have been at the center of conflict for decades. The region is controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group fighting against the Sudanese government for self-determination and greater autonomy. The Nuba people, a historically marginalized group, have faced oppression from the elite in the capital, Khartoum, primarily due to their ethnic and religious identity. The region has long been neglected, lacking proper infrastructure, medical facilities, and access to humanitarian aid.

When the civil war broke out, the already precarious humanitarian situation in the Nuba Mountains worsened. Many people from surrounding areas, including the capital Khartoum, fled to the mountains in search of safety. However, with the war cutting off access to aid and leaving the region isolated, these refugees have been forced to survive with limited resources.

The Stories of Survival

Amidst the devastation, there are countless stories of survival and resilience. One such story is that of Hannah Hamoda, a mother who lost both of her young children and one of her legs when a bomb dropped on her house. "When the bomb hit my house, I didn't immediately lose my leg, but my body just went completely numb," she recalls. After being rushed to a hospital and undergoing an emergency amputation, she learned that her two sons, ages two and four, had perished in the attack. Despite her overwhelming loss, Hamoda has found refuge in the Nuba Mountains, where she now lives with her two surviving children. She does not harbor anger against God for her misfortune but places her trust in a higher power to judge the actions of the government that caused the attack.

The Nuba Mountains have become a sanctuary for individuals like Hamoda, where the constant threat of airstrikes, artillery shelling, and gunfire is ever-present. Despite the overwhelming hardships, these displaced individuals continue to endure with remarkable strength, refusing to give up their land and culture.

The Struggle for Safety

For Namar Isel, a nurse who fled from the Sudanese town of Kum when bombs began raining down on her community, the journey to safety was fraught with fear. "I was very scared because people were being robbed on the way, and there was the danger of being raped," she recounts. Despite these dangers, she managed to escape unharmed, but many others were not so fortunate. Her father and brother remain missing, victims of the chaos that has overtaken their homeland.

In the Nuba Mountains, Namar found work in the region's only hospital, where she is witness to the growing number of malnourished children arriving daily. The hospital, which has been operating with limited supplies, is desperately waiting for fresh shipments of medicine. "We lack important painkillers and antibiotics, so we must refer patients with serious illnesses to hospitals in other regions," she says, frustration evident in her voice. The situation is dire, and the aid available is insufficient to meet the mounting needs.

A Conflict Between Two Generals

The war is a power struggle between two major factions: Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the conflict erupted in April, both sides have been engaged in constant fighting, with no signs of either side yielding. International efforts at mediating a ceasefire have failed, and the people continue to bear the brunt of the violence.

Namar, like many others, is angered by the two generals who continue to fight for power while the civilian population suffers. "It’s the people who are suffering, they have nothing left," she says, pointing out the devastating impact of the conflict on ordinary Sudanese citizens. "Neither one is fit to rule Sudan. Someone else should lead this country," she concludes, echoing the frustration felt by many in the region.

Humanitarian Aid and Community Support

In the Nuba Mountains, humanitarian aid has become increasingly difficult to deliver. The region remains cut off from the rest of the country, and most international aid organizations are only able to operate with permission from the Sudanese government. However, local organizations and communities have stepped up to help.

Pastor Musaki, a religious leader in the region, has played a pivotal role in organizing evacuations and providing aid to those in need. A few weeks after the fighting began, he coordinated the transport of 1,500 people from the town of Kham to the Nuba Mountains, using 23 buses. "Our people scattered, our people died, they were not having food," Pastor Musaki explains, highlighting the extreme conditions under which these refugees are living.

The Long Road Ahead

The situation in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains remains precarious, with little hope for an immediate end to the conflict. While the international community has largely failed to intervene effectively, the people of the Nuba Mountains continue to fight for their survival and their dignity. Their stories, often overlooked in the global media, are a reminder of the human cost of war and the strength of communities that refuse to give up.

As the war drags on, the world must not forget the forgotten conflict in Sudan. The people of the Nuba Mountains, like many others displaced by violence, are in desperate need of international attention and support. Until peace is achieved, these individuals and communities will continue to endure, holding on to their hope for a better future amidst the destruction and loss.