From el-Fasher to Chad: Refugee’s business shows resilience after fleeing Sudan’s war

Key Concepts:

• Displacement due to conflict in Sudan
• Resourcefulness and mutual aid in crisis
• Informal charging services for mobile phones
• Financial struggles and survival strategies

Impact of Latest Fighting in Sudan

The recent escalation of conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on thousands of lives, forcing many to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Personal Account of Displacement and Resourcefulness

Abdul Rahman Sulaiman Mohammed Khater, a Sudanese refugee, shares his harrowing experience. He originally hails from Al-Fasher and arrived with only the clothes he was wearing. Upon reaching his current location, he found his brother, who provided him with a charger. Abdul Rahman then devised a plan to help others charge their phones until he could retrieve his own money. He explains that he set up a charging station, stating, "I came and lay down here, and I cut the morning. I put these phones. Whoever comes, the simple, the simple, this is still on me. Sponge, I'm wearing a coat. I don't have one now. This is a trial coat. I don't have one yet."

Motivation for Providing Charging Services

Abdul Rahman's initiative to provide charging services stems from a desire to help his fellow Sudanese people. He elaborates, "I did this ambush to help my brothers with electricity so they can charge their phones. One can find his family fighting in Ragham and his son outside." This highlights the critical need for communication, especially for those separated from their loved ones amidst the conflict.

Financial and Operational Details of the Charging Service

The charging service operates on a small fee basis. Abdul Rahman states, "People who come, they come with a plan, with a plan, like 15 to 20. 20 is not every day, but some days, 10, 10, like that. We eat from it, like five, five. We save." He estimates his daily earnings to be around 200 Riyals. However, he also mentions his personal financial difficulties, noting, " والله انا حسي لسه ما لميت اسره بتاعي الاسره جزء منه ما لقيته ذاته وين ما انا عارفه اسر جزء منه انا وجن بتاعي وامامي قاعدين" (By God, I haven't collected my family yet. I haven't found part of my family, I don't know where. Part of my family, me, my children, and my front are sitting). This indicates that even while helping others, he is struggling to reunite with his own family and recover his belongings.

Call to Action

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Synthesis/Conclusion

This transcript offers a poignant glimpse into the realities faced by individuals displaced by the conflict in Sudan. Abdul Rahman's story exemplifies the resilience and ingenuity of people in crisis, who find ways to support each other even in the most challenging circumstances. His informal mobile charging service, while a small operation, addresses a vital need for communication and connection. The narrative also underscores the personal sacrifices and ongoing struggles faced by those affected by the violence, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a resolution to the conflict.