As Sudan grapples with an ongoing humanitarian crisis compounded by the pressures of war, many families face escalating challenges to meet their basic needs. In the capital city of Khartoum, the daily struggles of individuals like Rasha Abdelaziz Musa reflect the dire economic conditions that persist amidst conflict. Without her husband and with soaring food prices, Musa and many others find themselves navigating an increasingly precarious existence, requiring resilience and resourcefulness to support their families against the backdrop of a turbulent socio-economic landscape.
Khartoum, Sudan – Rasha Abdelaziz Musa has become a symbol of resilience in a city grappling with economic turmoil exacerbated by ongoing conflict. The 39-year-old sells tea for seven hours daily, yet by the time she closes her stall at 10 p.m., the uncertainty of providing enough food for her four children weighs heavily on her. With her husband serving on the front lines of the conflict, Musa has found herself solely responsible for her family’s well-being in a landscape marked by soaring food prices and economic instability.
Musa’s struggles echo the experiences of many Sudanese households. She explained that her family’s daily expenditures amount to approximately 40,000 Sudanese pounds (roughly in today’s market), a figure that does not include rent and other household essentials. In her fight to feed her children—who range in age from kindergarten to secondary school—Musa turns to staples like ful medames, a traditional dish made from stewed fava beans, or falafel sandwiches when ingredients become too costly.
Musa is not alone in facing these challenges. Ahmed Youssef, a 61-year-old butcher supporting a family of 12, reports that his irregular income, ranging between 90,000 to 140,000 pounds ( to ), falls short of his household’s daily needs of over 100,000 pounds (). Faced with rising costs, Youssef has enlisted the help of his older children to contribute to the family’s expenses.
The situation becomes even more dire for those like Ali Fadil, a 57-year-old who supports a family of ten without a stable job. He competes daily in the marketplace for work, finding occasional success but often returning home empty-handed. His family’s daily expenses hover around 70,000 pounds (), forcing him to skip meals and borrow money to cover school fees and medical costs.
Recent surveys reveal the extent of rising prices in Khartoum. A kilogram of sugar has risen to 10,000 pounds (), and cooking oil now costs 25,000 pounds (.50), highlighting the urgent need for affordable essentials as the economy struggles. The Sudanese pound continues to depreciate, with exchanging for around 10,050 pounds, marking a significant challenge for families trying to maintain their standards of living.
The Central Bureau of Statistics reported alarming figures, with overall prices increasing by 28 percent year-on-year as of September, and food prices soaring even higher at nearly 37 percent. As violence disrupts supply chains and infrastructure, households in urban areas feel the effects of inflation more severely than those in rural communities.
Experts suggest that the displacement caused by the ongoing conflict has compounded these challenges, resulting in a widening gap between supply and demand. The World Bank has estimated a staggering contraction of Sudan’s economy by 29 percent in 2023, with further declines anticipated in 2024 due to the continued impact of the war on agriculture and livelihoods.
Khalid Teks, a journalist and economic analyst, indicates that the root causes of Sudan’s economic woes predate the current conflict. A decline in oil production following the secession of South Sudan, coupled with longstanding political turmoil, created a framework of instability. Rebuilding efforts must prioritize humanitarian assistance, direct financial support for vulnerable households, and enabling low-interest loans for small businesses to revitalize the economy.
For the individuals in Khartoum, such as Musa, Youssef, and Fadil, the path to stability remains fraught with hardships, yet they continue to navigate the economic landscape with an uncompromising spirit. The call for ongoing assistance and systemic change resonates now more than ever as the people of Sudan seek avenues to overcome their formidable challenges in pursuit of a better future.
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