Sudan’s Women Lead Relief and Recovery After Years of Siege

When the Rapid Support Forces opened fire on 15 April 2023, the capital Khartoum fell into a protracted siege that collapsed communications, banking and food supplies. Residents survived on boiled wheat and burned furniture for heat, while contaminated water and lack of medical care caused severe illness. Journalist Tahani Al‑Numeiri, who fell critically ill during the siege, later joined a communal kitchen that handed out only two spoons of lentils per family. Recognising her media background, the kitchen manager urged her to share the city’s conditions online, and her videos quickly raised international awareness while she continued distributing meals.

In October 2025 the city of El Fasher in North Darfur was encircled by the RSF, trapping many who could not leave elderly relatives, persons with disabilities or those lacking transport. Amna Mohamed, president of a UN‑supported women‑led organization, stayed to provide meals and cash assistance to the most vulnerable. She described how women endured the first wave of suffering—being beaten, robbed, or having family members killed or abducted—while food prices surged and health services vanished. Mohamed noted that, despite women’s proximity to those in need, funding often flows to male‑led groups, limiting the reach of their programs.

After government forces retook Khartoum in March 2025, thousands of displaced women began returning to homes stripped of doors, windows and personal belongings. The psychological scars of bombardment, loss and prolonged uncertainty remain acute. Israa Hamid Khalil, a psychological‑support officer at the UN Women‑backed East Nile Women’s Empowerment Centre, reports that the centre now offers counselling, trauma‑informed care, and livelihood training to help women rebuild income and confidence. The focus is on moving beyond reliving painful memories toward sustainable psychological recovery, a critical step for families still coping with hunger and ongoing insecurity.