In brief
After enduring six days of drone strikes from the Rapid Support Forces, Port Sudan experiences drastic inflation in water prices and crippling power outages. Displaced residents struggle for basic necessities as essential services collapse, pushing many to consider fleeing once again.
In a shocking turnaround, Port Sudan is now experiencing life-threatening conditions after enduring a week of relentless aerial bombardment from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Once considered a safe retreat amid Sudan's civil war, the Red Sea city is grappling with skyrocketing water prices and severe energy shortages as the fallout from the attacks takes a toll on daily life.The carnage, which includes drone strikes on fuel depots, has left the city void of critical diesel needed to power water pumps. Residents like 26-year-old Mutasim, who fled previously from Omdurman, report that the price for a day's supply of water has surged from 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($3.30) to a staggering 10,000 pounds ($16.50), leaving families struggling to provide for basic needs. With eight people in his household, Mutasim fears the financial strain could soon make water an unaffordable luxury.Although markets have remained open, an unexpected surge in vehicle queues at petrol stations reveals a desperate scramble for fuel, with even a five-hour wait reported for a gallon. Compounding the crisis are ongoing blackouts, depriving families of relief from the stifling heat—conditions especially harsh for elderly relatives.Hawa Mustafa, another displaced resident and mother of four, voices her despair, saying the cacophony of drone strikes has thrust her back into a terrifying reality she thought she'd escaped. With no options left, she feels trapped in Port Sudan, contemplating whether to risk crossing into neighboring countries that are equally conflict-ridden.Mariam Atta captures the mood of many, stating bluntly, "life has changed completely," as fear grips the city. Servicing a population now largely dependent on humanitarian aid, Port Sudan serves as a vital logistics hub for organizations like the UN's World Food Programme, which fears these attacks may obstruct critical supply lines. With famine already declared in ten regions, the disruption could spell calamity for countless others.As local cafes and nightlife fade into silence due to the lack of electricity, the city reflects starkly on its recent descent from safety to chaos, forcing residents to reconsider their already tenuous footing amid uncertainty and despair.
