Community Kitchens a Lifeline for Starving Thousands in North Darfur

Ibrahim Gakong in Sudan

Port Sudan – As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Sudan, a glimmer of hope emerges for thousands displaced in North Darfur through the revival of a traditional lifeline—community kitchens.

In Zamzam camp, south of Al-Fasher, eight community kitchens have been established to provide two hot meals a day to approximately 10,000 newly-displaced residents. The initiative comes as hostilities escalate, leaving families in dire straits amid severe food shortages.

Speaking from Sudan, Daniel O’Malley, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation, painted a grim picture.

“Some residents of the camp told us that they are struggling to eat even one meal a day, with nearly no protein, fruits, or vegetables. For many families, the community kitchens are the only way to put food on the table, but they will not be enough to avert a deepening humanitarian crisis.”

The centuries-old Sudanese tradition of community kitchens, where meals are prepared and shared collectively, is being supported by the ICRC in collaboration with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS).

For Zamzam resident Malak Abdalla Ali, the project has been life-changing.

“Now, I feel full – a feeling I have not had for the past seven days. It has been seven months since we had a decent meal here in Zamzam camp.”

Zamzam camp, a sanctuary for nearly half a million people since its establishment in 2004, has seen an influx of newly-displaced families fleeing fighting in Al-Fasher. Resources are stretched thin, with only two-thirds of the camp’s water points operational and medical supplies rapidly depleting.

The worsening crisis comes against a backdrop of relentless fighting, which has disrupted the delivery of essential supplies. O’Malley urged warring parties to prioritize humanitarian access.

“The situation in and around Al-Fasher remains desperate, and the civilian population is caught between the fighting sides with little space to maneuver. We urgently call on the parties to provide humanitarian space, as ensuring civilians receive aid and services is their responsibility.”

As hunger and displacement continue to surge, the community kitchens offer a small but critical respite to those enduring the brunt of the conflict. However, long-term solutions remain elusive amid Sudan’s unfolding tragedy.