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A Single Mother's Struggle for Survival amidst Chaos

It has been two months since the outbreak of conflict in the capital of Sudan, and despite hopes for quick resolution, fighting persist in various regions of the country. The ongoing violence has resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, many of whom have sought refuge in neighboring countries like South Sudan. According to the UNHCR database, an astonishing number of approximately 148,538 individuals have crossed the borders into South Sudan by the end of June 2023.

Among those affected by this dire situation is Maria Nyalong Munthi. She is a 28-year-old, South Sudanese, single mother of a set of ten-month-old twins and a three-year-old girl.

As long as the conflict continues, people will use all of their resources and efforts to leave for safer places. DRC will continue to provide critical emergency assistance.

Teams will distribute Non-Food Items and Individual Cash Assistance, to support individuals at the reception centers across the country.

With approximately 2.2 million people already internally displaced in South Sudan, the crisis in Sudan is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the country as returnees, refugees, and internally displaced persons are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid to survive.

Sudan crisis

I come from Jonglei state, but we left our village in 2016 when the war broke out and settled in Sudan. I was living in a refugee camp called Kotsi and I worked as a laborer. Our journey from Sudan to South Sudan was filled with hardship and stress. It took us two days to walk, but fortunately, we managed to find a truck that was transporting people to the border at Joda. We stayed at the reception center in the next town, Renk, for nine days before being transported to Malakal by boat. The journey from Renk to Malakal took us six hours.

Maria, a refugee from Sudan

Prior to the war in Sudan, Maria separated from the father of her children and is the sole provider for her family. Maria is on the move once again, looking for safety for her children.

It is estimated that more than 91.28% of the displaced individuals in South Sudan are South Sudanese returning to the country they once fled.

This is particularly challenging since South Sudan is already grappling with severe food insecurity, inter-communal conflict and the devastating impacts of climate change.

Various humanitarian organizations are coordinating the transportation of returnees from the border to the temporary transition centre in Renk to other locations across the country, including Malakal.

Maria, who set out on her journey from Sudan to find safety in early May, is currently in the process of resettling and holding onto the hope of a fresh start in Malakal.

Sadly, she has lost all hope of ever returning to her ancestral home in Jonglei, a place she was forced to leave six years ago due to violent conflict and destructive floods. She now has a profound sense of loss and disconnection from her roots.

I don't believe I will ever be able to go back to my village. All of my relatives and other community members left a long time ago due to various reasons. Some of us fled because of the conflict in 2016, others were forced to leave due to numerous attacks on our community by our neighbors, and others were displaced by flooding. Even if I wanted to return, it would not be a viable option for me.

Maria, a south sudanese refugee

The ongoing sudan crisis 2023

With approximately 2.2 million people already internally displaced in South Sudan, the crisis in

Sudan is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the country as returnees, refugees, and internally displaced persons are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid to survive.

With approximately 2.2 million people already internally displaced in South Sudan, the crisis in Sudan is exacerbating an already d

ire humanitarian situation in the country as returnees, refugees, and internally displaced persons are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid to survive.

East Africa & Great Lakes