Beacon of Hope

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For the safety and security of the ERR members, all names in this story have been changed. Their courageous efforts and dedication remain real.

When the war broke out in Sudan in 2023, millions were forced to flee their homes, bringing with them pain and uncertainty. In the absence of an on-the-ground presence of much international aid, Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) and localization coordination council (LCC) became lifelines for those facing displacement and loss of livelihood. This article covers the period from August to December, highlighting the cities of Nyala and Kassala, where small kitchens transformed into life-saving platforms, bringing warmth and food to millions of suffering families.

Beyond the Rattle of Weapons

Amid the chaos, volunteers emerged as unsung heroes, working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring hope and resilience to communities. Their efforts may not make headlines, but they represent the true power of humanity in times of crisis. Volunteers from Nyala and Kassala tell the story of an unknown heroism, which will not make headlines or fill social media pages, but reveals the power of humanity within the emergency rooms in these cities

Nyala: A Network of Hope Growing Despite Crises

In Nyala, with the increasing number of displaced people and widespread hunger, the idea of «shared kitchens» emerged as a life-saving solution. In May 2024, the first shared kitchen was launched in a local school that housed around 200 students. Despite the simplicity of the meals provided, which were limited to lentils and pasta, their impact was profound. The number of students in the school rose from 90 to 500 within a few weeks, bringing life back to classrooms that had been nearly empty. The initiative quickly expanded. The initiative quickly expanded. By December 2024, Nyala had 13 shared kitchens serving daily meals to tens of thousands of needy families. Each kitchen relied on a $5,000 USD microgrant, which covered essential food supplies, cooking fuel, and stipends for volunteers. However, as the ERRs noted, these funds were only sufficient to sustain operations for 20-25 days each month, leaving gaps that required urgent additional support.

“The feeling
of helping someone who has lost all hope, seeing their
happiness and hearing their prayers for us, is a great
feeling that words cannot describe. Sometimes, I am so
moved that I cry from the depth of my emotions.”

— Mahmoud, volunteer

Kassala: Relentless Challenges

In Kassala, the ERR team faced immense pressure to meet the needs of displaced families، during July and August 2024, when families were forced from their homes in Singa and Sinnar. The main kitchen operated around the clock to provide hot meals to families that had spent days without food. The work began as an immediate response to urgent needs in an unstructured manner, with food being distributed to the displaced without prior organization, which increased tension. However, thanks to the team›s efforts, an organized system was put in place to provide three meals a day, easing the burden on volunteers and improving workflow.

In early August, one poignant moment involved a pregnant woman who could not eat the meals provided. One of the volunteers recalls:

“A woman told me that her pregnant sister was not eating
the meals provided, as the meals caused her heartburn
and were difficult to digest due to her pregnancy.” The
food didn’t offer the necessary nutritional value for her
or her baby. Her sister asked if we could prepare a special
meal for her, so we decided to offer her white and red
meat along with vegetables. When we served the meal,
the pregnant woman burst into tears of joy after a long
period of hunger. That moment was one of the happiest
experiences I›ve ever had; I felt the true meaning of giving.”

— volunteer

Thanks to the team›s efforts, providing special meals for pregnant women became a key part of the initiative, significantly improving the health of pregnant women and protecting them from the complications of malnutrition.

The Human Impact and Success Numbers

The success of these initiatives was not by chance but the result of meticulous planning and dedicated teamwork. Between August and October 2024, over €500,000 was transferred to ERRs across six states, and the project produced remarkable results. More than 240,000 families received food assistance, benefiting approximately 656,000 individuals. These funds were carefully invested to provide food and aid. ERRs maintain a robust system for activity planning, budgeting, and accountability. ERR volunteers prepare detailed documents that outline activity specifics, objectives, and budgetary requirements. If agreed by the community, the funds are transferred to the volunteer finance office for immediate implementation. The logistics office works collaboratively to make the process accountable and effective. They assess the market to identify cost-effective suppliers and purchase supplies for balanced meals. This effort is supported by a network of people who streamline the process by identifying beneficiaries, negotiating fair prices, and prioritizing team safety at every step.

Ongoing Challenges

Sudan faces escalating crises due to ongoing conflicts, economic blockades, and widespread displacement, exacerbating the food insecurity crisis that has affected the population as a result of decades of systematic impoverishment. By late September 2024, approximately 24.3 million people were suffering from severe hunger, with famine recorded in North Darfur and Western Nuba Mountains, according to the World Food Program (WFP). Amid these challenges, Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) and Local Community Committees (LCCs) emerged as tireless actors meeting the needs of displaced people and host communities, especially in states like Khartoum, Blue Nile, Sennar, and West Kordofan, where between 60% and 69% of the population suffers from severe food insecurity. Despite the success of these initiatives, they faced significant challenges, such as rising food prices, security risks, and the detention of some volunteers. However, the teams continued their work with determination, believing in their mission to create positive change in the lives of the affected.

Lessons Learned

Working in emergency rooms was not just about providing aid but establishing a system based on sustainable planning, responsibility, and the spirit of giving. Abdullah, a volunteer in the Kassala Youth Emergency Response Room, says:

“Through my work in the service office, I learned to
understand the dynamics of both the internal and external
communities and how to coordinate with partners to
ensure the continuity of support. I benefited greatly
from various training workshops, which developed my
skills in crisis management, working under pressure, and
effectively distributing tasks. This experience taught me
how to face major challenges with a team spirit and how
to stay calm amid a crisis, making sure every step we take
is carefully considered.”

— a volunteer

A Journey Toward a Sustainable System

The story of the Emergency Response Rooms began as unorganized local community initiatives distributing simple meals to meet the urgent needs of affected families. Over time, these efforts evolved into structured shared kitchens operating systematically to provide food and healthcare on a larger scale. These kitchens were not merely about distributing meals—they became symbols of humanity in its purest form, offering dignity, hope, and a sense of belonging to those who had lost everything. By preparing balanced meals that cater to the most vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children, these initiatives ensured that no one was left behind in their struggle for survival. Coordination expanded to the national level, securing and distributing resources in an organized, institutionalized manner, improving efficiency and guaranteeing sustained support amid escalating crises.

“I hope Sudan achieves
sustainable economic and social development that meets the
aspirations of the ambitious youth, strengthening national
unity and reinforcing values of cooperation and respect.”

— Fatima from Kassala

“I wish that all
emergency response rooms across Sudan continue to
support and provide aid to the suffering citizens.”

— Mohamed from Nyala

The tireless work of the ERRs exemplifies the power of collective action and resilience, turning crisis into an opportunity for long-lasting change. In a world where conflict often erases the voices of the suffering, these efforts stand as a testament to the unwavering spirit of communities determined to rebuild, one meal at a time, one life at a time. Their story is not just one of survival, but of humanity reclaiming its strength in the face of despair.

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Drops of Live

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Amid the war that engulfed Sudan, residents of the city of Nyala faced a severe water shortage, threatening their daily lives. The effects of the war caused significant damage to water infrastructure, significantly reducing access to this basic need. To make matters worse, many water tanker trucks were looted, and some owners of animal-driven water carts lost their livestock to thirst or hunger, further exacerbating the water crisis. Residents had to rely on purchasing water at exorbitant prices despite the difficult economic conditions, making access to clean water even more challenging. As the crisis worsened, local initiatives with Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) played a crucial role in mitigating the disaster.

“Whenever we receive even a small amount of funding—
sometimes as little as 5,000 USD—we immediately arrange
with truck owners to ensure water reaches those who need
it most. We know that many families depend on these few
drops for survival.”

— One if the volunteers

However, these projects relied on sporadic grants, which were not enough to solve the problem in a sustainable way.

This led the emergency response team to think of a long-term solution: rehabilitating the Nyala Water Authority›s main station, a project not typically taken on by small mutual aid groups The idea began to take shape when the ERR’s program office visited the main water station with engineers and specialists to assess the damage caused by the war. It became evident that the station had suffered extensive destruction, as all electrical wiring was stolen, and some infrastructure was destroyed due to heavy clashes involving artillery shells and heavy weapons.

The station was also looted from the inside, making its rehabilitation a significant undertaking. The project did not proceed smoothly, as some young ERR volunteers were arrested by the de facto government.

After the volunteers were released, they returned to the headquarters of the Nyala Water Authority to relaunch the rehabilitation project for the main water station, which consisted of two substations, Museh and Al-Wadi. In their initial plans, the ERRs intended to repair Al-Wadi substation, however, during their detainment the Water Authority worked with Medecins San Frontieres to complete the work. Normally, this would further delay the work of aid organization, but the ERRs were able to quickly realign their priorities and focus instead on the second substation at Museh, which contained five wells.

When the engineering teams arrived at Museh Station, they were met with a devastating scene, where one of the wells was completely out of service, washed away by the valley floods, while the other four wells were severely damaged, as the station lost more than 6,000 meters of electrical wires, in addition to the transformers, switchboards, and generators were either destroyed or missing, leaving the station completely inoperative.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the volunteers did not back down from the challenge. They began rehabilitating the station, working side by side with the specialized engineers and technicians of the authority, with their efforts continuing for four consecutive months. The work was arduous, but their determination never wavered. The project was carried out in sequential phases, starting with cleaning the station and removing debris, followed by transporting new wires from the main station to Museh and installing them along a stretch of 6,000 meters by hand. The volunteers exerted tremendous effort without any financial compensation, driven solely by their belief that access to clean water is a fundamental right for all. Moreover, the local community played a critical role in supporting these efforts by providing free transportation, assisting with wire installation, and offering discounts on equipment prices, which helped ease the financial burden on the teams and accelerated the pace of completion.

One volunteer reflected on the experience:

” This experience changed me completely. It made me stronger and more adaptable. Before the war, I often felt hopeless and stuck in my own thoughts, but thanks to the ERR, I now see life differently.”

This transformation was not limited to individuals; it spread throughout the entire community, as one of the volunteers said:

“The people in these Emergency Response Rooms have become stronger because of the hardships they’ve faced. Whatever your goal in life, never give up. If you›re serving your community, and the people of Nyala you›re on the right path.”

Restoring the water station was not just about infrastructure; it was a fight for survival. One woman shared her hardship:

“One of the hardest struggles for Nyala residents has been access to water.Since the war began, I’ve had to walk long distances—even under heavy shelling and explosions—just to find someone with a water tanker willing to sell me water at outrageous prices. I had no choice but to buy it, despite our limited income. Even the water truck drivers risked their lives daily to transport water across conflict zones. The man driving the water truck is risking his life just to earn a living and feed his family. “

Despite these challenges, the community refused to back down.

“The idea of rehabilitating the water station was one of
the most impactful initiatives for me. It helped us save the
money we were spending daily on water, and it brought joy
back to our lives.”

— a volunteer

Finally, after strenuous efforts, the ERR team successfully restored the station, bringing new hope to the residents who had long suffered from thirst. The total cost of the reactivation was 25,000 USD to restore water supply to 50% of the normal operations. This water station services approximately 70% of the city’s population.

The moment the first drop of water flowed back into the city›s pipelines was unforgettable.

One volunteer described the emotional moment:

“I will never forget that moment. When the children saw water running through the streets, they screamed with joy, shouting: ‘The water is back! …The water is back!’ It was a truly incredible scene.”

With this dedicated spirit, the emergency room volunteers were able to make a real difference in Nyala, where it was not just about fixing a water station, but restoring life and hope to the hearts of the people, despite all the obstacles and dangers they faced.

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