Text: Ahmed Elsir and Roald Høvring
Hawa and her children had to leave their home and everything they owned when they fled attacks in Sennar, Sudan. Now, in their new temporary home, they treasure the memories and dream of being able to go home soon.
Hawa and her children – Tasnim, 13, Tasabeeh, 12, Mohamed, 8, and Abdulbasit, 4 – carry with them happy memories of their home village, her husband and relatives.
“These memories are some of the most valuable things we have,” Hawa says, pulling out a photo album.
“This is everything we brought with us. I love these pictures because they remind us of our happy moments and help us to forget the pain. The children and I often look through the album. It makes us laugh.”
These happy memories also keep alive their dream to return home.
“All I want, and all I think about, is to be able to go home. But the conditions there are still difficult. The water supply has been destroyed, and there is a lack of food. It’s not safe either.”
Sudan: the world’s largest internal displacement crisis
The civil war that broke out in April 2023 has displaced almost 12 million people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. About 3.1 million people have fled the country, and millions of others are trying to find protection and shelter in safer areas of Sudan. At present, 9 million people need help to get a roof over their heads. The majority are women and children.
Have slept out in the open
“Before we reached the camp, we had slept for several nights out in the open, and when it rained all our clothes got wet through,” explains Hawa.
When the family arrived at Al Houri camp, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) initially provided them with a tent as an emergency solution. Tents can be lifesaving when no other shelter is available, but in the harsh heat of summer and downpour of winter rains, they offer little protection.
Hawa remembers the difficult period they spent in that tent.
“One day it rained so hard and the wind was so strong that it tore the tent to pieces. We were afraid for our lives, and I had to comfort the children.”
Building simple, traditional huts
As the war in Sudan reaches its twentieth month, emergency shelter is no longer enough for families who have been displaced. In Al Houri camp, NRC has built simple, traditional huts, known locally as Rakubas, for over 500 families. Although still not a permanent solution, Rakubas provide residents with more protection, privacy and security.
They have slept out in the open, and they have lived in tents. Now they have finally reached safety and are living in temporary housing.
Ten days have now passed since Hawa and her four children were able to move into their new temporary home. Inside, the floor is covered with a plastic sheet and straw mats.
“This is much better than the tent. It’s nice in here, and we have plenty of space,” says Hawa.
She gathers the children around her and happily welcomes the visit from the NRC. She is also full of praise for the local community that has been so generous with its help.
“The tent was cold at night, and incredibly hot in the daytime,” she explains. “Here we are protected, and we don’t have to look for shade under the trees. We also have plenty of space for our few possessions.”
While communities remain displaced, NRC will continue helping them find more dignified, longer-term housing.
The children’s education comes first
Life in the camp is a daily battle to get water and food, and to care for the children.
“We are living in terrible poverty, and the children ask why we came here. There is nothing I can tell them, other than that it was God’s will,” says Hawa.
She explains that the four children mean everything to her.
“The children’s education has been one of the most important things to me. Fortunately, they have been able to continue their schooling here in the camp.”
She goes on to explain that she also provides her own children, and some of the other children in the camp, with extra tuition.
“When I got financial support from the NRC, I bought a smartphone. That enables me to stay in contact with my husband and other family members. I also use the phone for home schooling, and the children get a feeling of normality and can forget all the difficult things we are going through, for a little while.”
Last year we helped provide shelter for 1.5 million people worldwide. The need is enormous, but together we can help even more people.
Longer term in Sudan
We need more investment to help displaced people live harmoniously with host communities and reduce the risk of them having to move once more. Our goal is to expand our work across Gedaref and River Nile states to improve housing and create safer living conditions for displaced communities.