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From displacement to hope: Zainab’s journey
Zainab Abdulaziz Abdulkarim Musa, a 40-year-old mother of nine, fled Kadugli in South Kordofan after escalating conflict forced her family to leave their home.
After a difficult journey that lasted nearly a month, she arrived at Abu Alnaja D Reception Center in Rural Wasat Al-Gedaref in January 2026 with her children, exhausted and without any source of income.
We fled because of the war and the burning of houses, when we arrived in Gedaref, I struggled to provide food, clothing, and other basic needs for my children
Like many newly displaced families, Zainab relied entirely on humanitarian assistance while living in overcrowded conditions at the reception center. Food shortages, rising prices, and limited livelihood opportunities made daily life extremely difficult.
In response to the growing needs of displaced families in Gedaref, DRC provided emergency cash assistance through the ECHO-funded project. Zainab received financial support during Ramadan and before Eid, a critical time for her family.
Rather than spending the entire amount on immediate needs, Zainab decided to invest part of the cash into starting a small grocery business inside the settlement.
After buying the most urgent needs for my children, I started a small grocery shop selling vegetables, sugar, soap, charcoal, and other basic items
Today, the small business helped Zainab provide food and other essentials for her children while reducing her dependence on humanitarian aid. The business has also improved the quality of food available for her family and restored a sense of dignity and independence.
“Today, I feel stronger because I can support my children with my own work,” Zainab says. “I hope to expand my business and give my children a better future where they can learn and live in peace.”
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