Return to devastation: have the displaced returned to face a different type of death? ✍️ Dr Alaa Imad Al-Din Al-Badri
During the war period, Sudan experienced a massive wave of displacement that forced thousands of families to leave their areas of origin due to armed conflict and difficult security conditions. Today, many of these citizens are returning to their war-affected states and homes, but this return is not the end of their suffering, but rather the beginning of new challenges on the ground.
These returnees are not those with high incomes, nor those who have the opportunity to work abroad or save. Rather, these are low-income citizens who lived on simple monthly salaries that barely meet the basic needs of life. Their limited savings were depleted during the relocation trip. Today, they face severe economic hardship represented by the high cost of living, rising rents and scarce employment opportunities, at a time when needs are growing beyond individual capabilities. Endurance. The challenges do not only stop at the economic aspect, but also include health conditions, as epidemics and diseases are spreading in certain regions, which requires an urgent and deliberate response from the authorities concerned, in a timely and urgent manner.
In this context, it should be noted that the economic and social matter of returnees is not solely the responsibility of the State, but constitutes a shared responsibility that also includes the private sector. The private sector, represented by chambers of commerce and businessmen, plays a central role at this stage, and it is important that it takes genuine initiatives to support societal stability, whether by helping to provide goods at reasonable prices or supporting small projects for returnees. The state must also play its role by activating policies. Flexible, facilitating the import process and providing the necessary goods to the consumer.
The current livelihood challenge is no longer just an economic issue, but has become a humanitarian and national issue that requires urgent action, and this issue must be placed at the top of the agenda, not only to ease the burden on citizens, but also to restore trust between society and state institutions. Accountability in such circumstances requires the integration of official and societal efforts. Therefore, what we hope from the government is not to perform miracles, but to address the challenges realistically and come up with workable solutions.
The citizen who has suffered displacement and displacement deserves to be offered a real opportunity for safe return, stability and satisfaction of the minimum necessities of a decent life. This is a national commitment that we must work to achieve, and we hope that the response will live up to the challenge and the aspirations of citizens to live with dignity and security.
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