Background:
Since April 2023, Sudan has been plagued by escalating conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in widespread displacement and a dire humanitarian crisis. As of February 2024, over 8.1 million people have been displaced, with millions more affected by the conflict’s devastating impact on food security, healthcare, and essential services.
The Situation Before Assistance:
Before receiving aid from Muslim Hands United for Needy (MHUN), displaced families in Sudan faced unimaginable challenges. Forced to flee their homes due to violence and insecurity, these families found themselves living in overcrowded displacement camps or seeking shelter in makeshift dwellings. Basic necessities such as food, clean water, and shelter were often scarce, leaving families vulnerable to disease, hunger, and exploitation.
The Intervention by Muslim Hands United for Needy:
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, MHUN launched a comprehensive assistance program to provide vital support to displaced families in Sudan. The program, implemented in three cities – Atbara, Shendi, and Aldamir – included the distribution of essential non-food items (NFI) packages and unconditional cash transfers for rent assistance.
Assistance Provided:
Each selected family received a one-time NFI package of 61 essential items tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, families received monthly cash transfers of $250 for rent assistance, allowing them to secure safe and stable housing amidst the chaos of displacement. The assistance was designed to alleviate immediate hardships and empower families to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Impact on Displaced Families:
The assistance provided by MHUN has had a profound impact on the lives of displaced families in Sudan, transforming their circumstances and offering hope for a brighter future. Through interviews with three women beneficiaries and one staff member, Zainab, we gain insight into the tangible difference MHUN’s intervention has made:
Aisha, 30 years old:
“Before receiving assistance from MHUN, my family and I were living in constant fear and uncertainty. We struggled to find shelter and often went without food or clean water. With the support of MHUN, we now have a safe place to call home and access to essential items that we desperately needed. This assistance has given us hope for a better tomorrow.”
Fatima, 45 years old:
“As a mother and a caregiver, it was heartbreaking to see my family suffer due to the conflict. Thanks to MHUN, we no longer have to worry about where we will sleep at night or how we will afford basic necessities. The monthly cash transfers have provided us with stability and security, allowing us to focus on rebuilding our lives.”
Mariam, 18 years old:
“As a young woman, the conflict in Sudan has had a profound impact on my future prospects. With MHUN’s assistance, I now have access to education and opportunities that were once out of reach. The NFI package has provided me with essential items for daily living, giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams.”
Zainab, MHUN Staff Member:
“Working on the frontlines of the humanitarian response, I have witnessed firsthand the difference that MHUN’s assistance has made in the lives of displaced families. Our interventions have provided immediate relief and empowered families to regain control over their lives and build a better future for themselves and their children.”
Conclusion:
Amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, MHUN’s intervention has offered a lifeline to displaced families, providing them with essential support and hope for a better tomorrow. Through distributing NFI packages and monthly cash transfers, MHUN has empowered families to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience. As the crisis continues, sustained assistance remains critical, ensuring that no family is left behind in their time of greatest need.
Introduction of the Muslim Hands United for Needy
Muslim Hands is an international Non-governmental organization in over fifty-two countries worldwide to help those affected by natural disasters, conflict, and poverty. The organization was established in 1993 in Nottingham, UK. Muslim Hands has received the Investor in People award in the UK and has also achieved the standard ISO 9001:2000. Muslim Hands is registered in the UK with British Overseas NGOs Development (BOND), Department for International Development (DFID) and is a signatory to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
Muslim Hands has been registered in the Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an INGO since 2003 for working in Sustainable Livelihoods, Education, Health, Orphans and Child Welfare, Water Sanitation and hygiene, Hunger, and Environment.
In addition to the main office in Khartoum state – Omdurman, Al Mohaddessin area ,Muslim Hands works through 5 sub-offices covering the most needy areas in Sudan .
Muslim Hands Sub offices:
1- Darfur states ( Nyala )
2- Kordofan states
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