Tragedy strikes Port Sudan as civilian plane crashes amidst ongoing conflict

A civilian plane crashed in Port Sudan, resulting in the loss of nine lives, including four soldiers, on Sunday evening. The Sudanese army has attributed the crash to “technical” reasons. The incident occurred as the war in the east African country reached its 100th day, leaving a trail of destruction and hardship for its citizens.

The ongoing armed conflict has left millions of people trapped in their homes, with some communities facing severe shortages of essential supplies, including water and food. In the suburbs of the capital, Khartoum, residents are struggling to survive, prompting urgent calls for food donations to aid those in dire need.

Abbas Mohammed Babiker, a resident of a war-devastated district in Khartoum, revealed the dire conditions his family is facing, stating they have only been able to eat once a day. However, even that meager sustenance is now uncertain. A citizens’ support group launched an urgent appeal for donations to help families like Babiker’s, who are running out of provisions.

The situation in Khartoum North has grown increasingly dire as some residents have reportedly died from hunger. The conflict has disrupted essential services, leaving the local water station inoperable and causing intermittent electricity supply. With food supplies dwindling, the lives of many hang in the balance.

In the relatively spared eastern coast city of Port Sudan, the crash of an Antonov plane claimed nine lives, while miraculously sparing a child’s. The ongoing war has severely impacted Sudan’s aviation infrastructure, with Port Sudan airport being the only operational airport in the country due to the ongoing conflict.

Since the conflict erupted between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Daglo on April 15, the death toll has surpassed 3,900, as reported by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The violence has forced more than 2.6 million people to flee their homes, primarily in Khartoum, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Even before the war began, approximately one-third of the population already faced hunger, as reported by the United Nations’ World Food Programme. Despite the security challenges, the agency has been able to reach over 1.4 million people with emergency food aid as the need for assistance intensifies.

With the market collapse and the lack of money due to the ongoing fighting, many citizens find themselves without access to basic necessities. Pro-democracy neighborhood groups, such as the local “resistance committee,” are stepping up to support their communities. They have issued emergency appeals, urging people to come together, share resources, and provide essential aid to those in their vicinity.

The heartbreaking story of Khaled Senhouri, a violinist from Omdurman, highlights the devastating impact of the war on individuals. Senhouri’s friends reported that he tragically “died from hunger” after being unable to leave his home amidst the fighting, despite his attempts to ration the supplies he had.

As Sudan continues to endure the horrors of war, humanitarian organizations are facing immense challenges in reaching those in need. The international community must join forces to provide much-needed assistance and aid to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the conflict.