SUDAN— Nearly three years after the outbreak of the Sudan conflict, thousands of refugees and returnees at the Renk Transit Centre continue to face dire humanitarian conditions, despite having escaped the violence across the border.
The conflict, which erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has triggered one of the world’s largest displacement crises. According to the United Nations, more than 13 million people have been displaced, with over 1.3 million seeking refuge in South Sudan.
At the Renk Transit Centre in Upper Nile State, survival remains a daily struggle. For Najah Al-Fadl, a 35-year-old mother of four, the journey to safety came at a devastating cost. Fleeing Sudan in December 2023 while pregnant, she escaped escalating violence, including drone strikes and armed raids on homes.
Now, she lives in a fragile shelter made of plastic sheets and sticks—offering little protection from the scorching daytime heat and harsh nighttime conditions. Overcrowding is widespread, with multiple families sharing cramped spaces, while access to clean water and sanitation remains inconsistent.
“Life here is not stable,” she says. “We are safe from war, but not from suffering.”
Education has become an unaffordable luxury for many families in the camp. Najah’s children, once enrolled in school in Sudan, have been out of class for months.
Nearby schools are either too distant, overcrowded, or require fees that displaced families cannot pay. As a result, many children spend their days idle, increasing their vulnerability to child labour, early marriage, and exploitation.
Residents say access to basic education and vocational training is urgently needed to prevent a “lost generation.”
Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges. Humanitarian assistance is irregular, forcing families to rely on informal jobs.
Najah works long hours in a local restaurant, earning minimal wages and occasionally receiving leftover food. Some days, she says, her family survives on a single meal—or none at all.
Healthcare services are available but severely overstretched. Clinics frequently run out of essential medicines, pushing families toward costly private pharmacies they cannot afford. Malnutrition, especially among children, is widespread.
A Mother’s Struggle
Israhak Yusuf, also 35, fled from Medeni with her children. Shortly after arriving in Renk, one of her children fell critically ill. Desperate for treatment, she briefly returned to Sudan but found no adequate care. Back in Renk, the child was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition—linked to food shortages and poor living conditions.
Although the child recovered after treatment at a nutrition centre, Israhak says the challenges remain. She now supports her family by baking and selling cakes, but the income is insufficient.
“Even with work, we cannot meet our basic needs,” she explains.
Water and Sanitation Crisis
Water shortages are frequent, with long queues forming at limited water points. Sanitation facilities are inadequate and poorly maintained, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks—particularly among children.
For many, these conditions compound an already fragile existence.
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Stuck in Transition
Fathina Abdrahaman, 57, has lived in the transit centre since fleeing Sudan in 2023. Initially told that Renk would be a temporary stop, she has now spent years there.
She declined relocation to Maban, citing concerns over insecurity and limited services. Some families who relocated have reportedly returned to Renk under similar concerns.
While she acknowledges the efforts of humanitarian organisations—particularly in treating malnutrition—she says the support falls short of the growing needs.
“We need more than emergency aid. We need a future,” she says.
Calls for Sustainable Solutions
The Renk Transit Centre hosts a growing population of Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees, many arriving with little or nothing. As new arrivals continue to cross the border, overcrowding and pressure on already limited resources are intensifying.
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Residents are calling for long-term solutions, including access to education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities that would enable them to rebuild their lives and reduce dependence on aid.
Hope for Peace
As the Sudan conflict approaches its third year, hope remains the strongest currency among those displaced.
For families like Najah’s, the ultimate goal is simple: peace, and the chance to return home.
Until then, life in Renk continues—marked by resilience, uncertainty, and the daily fight for survival.
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