STORIES FROM THE APRIL 2023 SURVIORS

Karima El Zubair was waiting to board a flight from the Khartoum International Airport when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed in and demanded that no flights take off. A few minutes later she was flooded with phone calls from panicked relatives who were alerted by the situation from the news. After enduring several tense hours under the RSF's control, Karima was safely returned to her home. Despite being at her own home, the continuous sound of raging bullets, lack of electricity, and uncertainty created an unbearable environment. Exactly 4 days later Karima was forced make the tough choice of leaving her home and travel to Egypt with her family by bus. Leaving with nothing other than the clothes on her back, Karima and her family began the 3 day bus ride to Egypt. Throughout the journey, they were in close proximity with the RSF who portrayed an aggressive and intimidating presence, causing the whole family to feel unsettled. After a physically and mentally exhausting trip, Karima and her family were able to breathe a sigh of relief once they had made it across the border to Egypt safely. 

Samah had just began a perfectly normal morning when the deafening sound of bullets shattered the tranquility of her home. Confused and scared, she decided to call her neighbours and ask about the commotion, she soon learned that the shooting was a a grim consequence of the political upheaval between the RSF and the government. Samah and her husband contemplated for hours about how to move forward, whilst their two children aged 7 & 9 latched onto them in fear. Apprehensively, they decided they should take the courageous decision of driving to Port Sudan along with other family members. This decision became solidified after a bullet penetrated the wall of their living room. Despite her own profound fear, Samah had to put on a brave face for her younger children. After a harrowing 12 hour journey, Samah and her family safely reached Port Sudan. However, their whole lives have been displaced as a result of unnecessary and destructive military forces. 

Aya, a successful ophthalmologist, University professor, and mother of 4, unwillingly uprooted her whole life to Port Sudan. She tried to resist leaving for as long as she could, hoping that the fighting would come to a halt soon enough, so that her youngest son would be able to resume his High School Diploma. After 90 days, she realised that there was no end in sight and like many others she would have to leave the place she has called home for most of her life. Aya along with 30 of her family members embarked on their journey to Port Sudan, with them was her bedridden 80 year old father who requires an oxygen machine to breathe. Aya had serious doubts about whether her father would or wouldn't survive the tedious 12 hour journey. 

Thankfully, they all reached Port Sudan safely despite experiencing complications. Aya now resides in Muscat with her extended family. Her future remains uncertain. 

Ahmed was a medical student at the University of Khartoum who had just graduated after 5 years of university. He hoped to take a gap year working as a medic in one of Sudan's rural villages, before continuing his path of specialising in nephrology. Him and his family had to leave their life in Sudan behind, and go to Egypt like many others. Unfortunately, among with many other new-graduates Ahmed was unable to retrieve any of his qualifications that prove he is a medical graduate, leaving his future uncertain. Thankfully, Ahmed is fortunate enough to have financial support from his family, but sadly not everyone is able to hold such a privileged position.