In brief
Following a week of drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces, Port Sudan is now facing skyrocketing water prices and prolonged blackouts. Residents, including displaced individuals, are struggling to cope with these new challenges as aid agencies warn of impending difficulties in delivering necessary supplies to those in need.
In the wake of a week-long barrage of aerial attacks, Port Sudan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis marked by crises in water supply and electricity. Once a haven amid Sudan's civil war, the city has been ravaged by drone strikes from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to a drastic rise in water prices. Water, which cost 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($3.30) just a week ago, has skyrocketed to 10,000 pounds ($16.50)—rendering it inaccessible for many families.Residents like 26-year-old Mutasim, who fled from Omdurman, lament the struggle for basic necessities. "We can't afford it," he says of the rising water costs while noting how the explosion at fuel depots has halted diesel supplies necessary to operate the water pumps. Core daily activities have been disrupted as crowds gather at petrol stations for dwindling fuel supplies, prompting long waits that can last up to five hours.Previously able to enjoy a semi-normal life, Port Sudan's citizens now find themselves besieged by fear and uncertainty. Hawa Mustafa, a displaced teacher, recounts the terror of drone strikes reminiscent of the violence she fled from in the Darfur region. The blackout situation has reached troubling levels, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly—many are left sweltering in oppressive heat due to power cuts.Port Sudan's role as a vital humanitarian hub has also come under threat. World Food Programme representative Leni Kinzli confirms that much of the humanitarian aid has flowed through the city, but attacks threaten to choke off this lifeline. With famine reported in ten regions and many more at risk, ongoing violence severely complicates aid delivery efforts.Mariam Atta, another resident, shares the increasingly daunting reality: "Life has changed completely. We are struggling to cope." As Port Sudan descends further into turmoil, the fear of worsening conditions grows, prompting many to reconsider any plans for travel or escape. Agencies are scrambling for alternative routes to bring life-saving resources into the country, but the spiraling violence raises grave concern about the future of this strategic city, once seen as a safe refuge amidst Sudan's chaos.
