Displaced Sudanese Return to Rebuild Lives in Khartoum
As the dust settles from a prolonged civil conflict, many Sudanese displaced by war are returning to Khartoum, determined to rebuild their lives despite the devastation. Afaf al-Tayeb was among those who returned in June 2025 to find her home in the Al-Qawz district reduced to a charred, windowless shell. This marked her first sense of safety since the Sudanese army announced its control over the capital after fierce fighting with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has led to a staggering 12 million people being forcibly displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration. Of those, approximately 1.2 million have returned to various locations in Sudan, including Khartoum. Al-Tayeb and her family faced multiple displacements throughout the conflict, and they lost their home and possessions, including cherished photographs of loved ones, when fire ravaged their residence.
Infrastructure Devastation and Community Resilience
Returning residents are confronting a bleak reality. Many neighborhoods in Khartoum are in ruins, with essential services like electricity and clean water severely impacted. Mohanad Elbalal, cofounder of Khartoum Aid Kitchen, highlighted that areas recaptured by the military are witnessing destruction on a massive scale. “In some areas, there’s been a complete dismantling of the infrastructure,” he said, noting that hospitals have been stripped of beds and necessary supplies.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, over 60 electricity and water facilities have been damaged or destroyed in Khartoum, significantly hampering recovery efforts. Local officials, including Altyeb Saad, spokesperson for the Khartoum province government, reported that 77 power transfer stations had been looted or destroyed, complicating efforts to restore basic services.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, community members are resilient. Many are taking it upon themselves to restore some functionality to their neighborhoods. Videos emerging from Khartoum show residents cleaning streets and repairing what they can, exemplifying a collective effort to reclaim their community.
Ongoing Challenges and the Need for Support
Al-Tayeb’s return home did not come without its struggles. She and her son now grapple with a lack of basic necessities, relying on costly water and solar panels for power. “There are no services at all in Al-Qawz. Why did they liberate Khartoum if we’re left for months without basic services?” she expressed, highlighting the disillusionment felt by many.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with many families still reliant on charity kitchens for food. At the height of the conflict, Khartoum Aid Kitchen served around 4,000 people daily, although that number has since halved. Elbalal emphasized that, while people are finding food, they often lack the nutritional balance necessary for health.
Kholood Khair, founding director of Confluence Advisory, noted that the ongoing warfare poses a significant risk to reconstruction efforts. She warned that the potential for further conflict would deter international donors, who struggle to identify trustworthy partners for rebuilding.
As Al-Tayeb and others like her return to their homes, the profound impact of the war lingers. Issues such as theft, insecurity, and inadequate basic services complicate their efforts to rebuild. “The lack of services and increased militarization are the perfect recipe for organized crime to take root,” Khair concluded, emphasizing the challenges that lie ahead for Khartoum’s recovery.
