In Port Sudan, residents are facing sky-high prices for basic food items as they prepare for Ramadan amidst a raging war in the country. Severe inflation and lack of supplies have led to dire humanitarian conditions, particularly in conflict-affected areas where famine looms. Traditional Ramadan celebrations are significantly diminished due to the crisis, with families struggling to maintain their cultural practices amidst hardship.
Residents in Port Sudan are struggling to prepare for Ramadan due to soaring prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the country. Basic food items are becoming unaffordable, with sugar priced at 2,400 Sudanese pounds ($1) per kilo and veal costing 24,000 pounds. Mahmoud Abd El Kader expressed frustration over exorbitant prices, emphasizing, “We are struggling to afford Ramadan goods.” Likewise, Hassan Osman highlighted the inability of individuals to meet their basic needs owing to high costs.
The economic crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing war, which has rendered many public workers unpaid while average salaries hover around $60 per month. The local currency has drastically depreciated, with the exchange rate deteriorating from 600 pounds to 2,400 pounds per dollar. As inflation reached 145 percent by January, residents in conflict-affected regions face not only elevated costs but also severe shortages of food.
In regions severely affected by the war, concerns extend beyond pricing to the availability of food. The violence between military factions has led to widespread famine, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan. Displacement camps in North Darfur report starvation, with residents resorting to eating non-nutritive items to survive. The World Food Programme recently suspended operations due to escalating violence.
Humanitarian workers, such as Omar Manago in North Darfur, report dire conditions, citing shortages of water and food for families who have not had adequate meals for months. United Nations officials have warned that without an immediate increase in humanitarian aid, the situation could lead to mass deaths. Volker Turk, UN Human Rights Chief, stated that the country is on the verge of chaos, with famine exacerbating the humanitarian disaster.
In many areas, markets have been devastated by conflict, leading to widespread looting and loss of supplies. In Khartoum, aid distribution is not sufficient to meet the growing needs. Charitable traditions during Ramadan have diminished, with individuals lamenting the lack of communal iftar meals. As Sabrine Zerouk noted, the streets are no longer filled with volunteers providing assistance as they were in previous years, representing a significant cultural loss during this holy month. Mohamed Moussa similarly mourned the absence of family gatherings and traditional decorations that enriched the Ramadan experience.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has created severe economic challenges for residents, particularly during Ramadan. With skyrocketing prices and limited access to essential food supplies, families face unprecedented struggles. Humanitarian conditions in war-torn regions worsen, with famine threatening countless lives and traditional customs fading amid despair. The international community is urged to amplify aid efforts to mitigate this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.arabnews.jp
