The article follows Shihab Mohamedali, a Senior Programme Manager with Islamic Relief in Sudan, who was forced to flee Khartoum at the start of the ongoing conflict that has devastated the country. After three years of displacement, he is returning to the capital, reflecting on both the personal and collective losses experienced during the war and the profound changes in the city he is coming back to.
He recalls the early days of the conflict in April 2023, when Khartoum rapidly turned into a war zone. As he and his family fled under dangerous conditions, they witnessed stark contrasts in human behaviour along the way, from looting to acts of kindness. Their evacuation marked the beginning of years of displacement, uncertainty, and separation from home and work.
During the conflict, Khartoum suffered widespread destruction, including looted homes, damaged infrastructure, and loss of basic services. Even Islamic Relief’s offices were stripped of equipment and vehicles. Many residents faced severe hardship, including loss of family members, detention, hunger, and displacement, while survivors struggled to find safety and basic necessities.
Despite being displaced themselves, Islamic Relief staff continued their humanitarian work from other locations. Mohamedali describes the emotional toll of being both a displaced person and a humanitarian worker, while also highlighting personal family struggles, including trauma experienced by his children and their eventual recovery and resilience.
As people begin returning to Khartoum, many find their homes destroyed or emptied, yet also experience a deep emotional pull to rebuild their lives in their city. While some basic services and markets are gradually returning, the city remains heavily damaged and requires long-term recovery efforts.
The article concludes by emphasising that returning to Khartoum is not the end of the crisis but the beginning of a new phase of rebuilding. Humanitarian support remains critical, as millions across Sudan are still displaced and in need of assistance, while those returning face the challenge of starting again from almost nothing.
