Sudan war and inflation leave families struggling to survive in Khartoum | Sudan war News
Khartoum, Sudan — Rasha Abdelaziz Musa sells tea for seven hours each day, but by the time she finishes her work at 10 p.m., she often worries she will not have enough money to provide for her four children.
At 39, Musa’s income has become insufficient to meet the rising food prices in the Sudanese capital. With her husband, a member of the Sudanese military, stationed on the front lines of an ongoing conflict since 2023, she has had no contact from him in months and has received no financial support.
In his absence, Musa is solely responsible for her children, who range in age from kindergarten to secondary school. She estimates that feeding her family costs around 40,000 Sudanese pounds (about $4 at the parallel market rate) daily, not including rent and other household necessities.
Common meals for her family include ful medames, a traditional dish made from stewed fava beans, and lentils. When lentils become prohibitively expensive, Musa provides taamiya, or falafel, sandwiches instead. Fluctuating prices mean she often finds herself in debt to local traders by the end of the day.
Musa is not alone in her struggle. Ahmed Youssef, 61, supports a family of twelve through his work at a butcher shop and by occasionally facilitating livestock sales. He reports that his income ranges from 90,000 to 140,000 pounds ($9 to $14) when he secures a deal, but this income is inconsistent. He notes his household expenses exceed 100,000 Sudanese pounds ($10) per day, forcing his older children to take on work to help meet their financial needs.
Similarly, Ali Fadil, who supports a family of ten, finds himself unable to rely on a steady income. At 57, he spends each morning seeking work at the market. On some days, he earns enough to purchase food, but there are also days when he earns nothing. Despite the uncertainty, his daily expenses total around 70,000 pounds ($7), further exacerbated by rising prices. “Sometimes I skip meals to cover school fees or medical costs,” Fadil explained, adding that he frequently has to borrow money to meet other obligations.
In a recent survey of local markets in the Khartoum State area, prices for essential foods have increased sharply, complicating budgeting for struggling families. A kilogram of sugar, for example, rose to 10,000 pounds ($1) from 9,000 pounds ($0.90) in just two days. Similarly, cooking oil prices jumped to 25,000 pounds ($2.50) from 20,000 pounds ($2), while the cost of a loaf of bread climbed from 300 pounds ($0.03) to 500 pounds ($0.05) within a week.
The costs of lentils and rice saw similar increases, while powdered milk prices reached 70,000 pounds ($7) per kilogram, up from 60,000 pounds ($6) two days earlier. The Sudanese pound continues to weaken, with $1 trading at 10,050 Sudanese pounds in the parallel market on Friday, an increase from 9,500 the day before.
Statistics from Sudan’s Central Bureau of Statistics reinforce concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly in urban areas. The consumer price index indicated a 28 percent increase in prices across the country in September compared to the previous year, up from 26 percent in August. Food prices have surged even more dramatically, with costs for food and beverages rising by nearly 37 percent year-over-year and spiking by over 17 percent from August to September.
In Khartoum State, costs were nearly 60 percent higher than the previous year, with prices increasing by more than 15 percent in September alone. This inflation comes as the region continues to recover from devastation caused by ongoing conflict. Although some displaced residents have begun to return and businesses are gradually reopening, challenges such as damaged infrastructure and rising transport costs impede the availability of goods.
The war has disrupted livelihoods and supply chains, contributing to the economic downturn. The World Bank estimates that Sudan’s economy contracted by 29 percent in 2023 and is expected to shrink by an additional 14 percent in 2024 due to these factors. According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 8.9 million people remain internally displaced as of April.
Khalid Teks, an economic affairs specialist, noted that Sudan’s economic challenges predate the current conflict. He pointed to declining oil production, cash shortages, political instability, and corruption as long-standing issues that worsened following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Teks observed that families are increasingly depleting their savings and selling off possessions to manage everyday expenses, while disruptions to remittance channels have further hindered financial support for many households.
Teks has called for the government to facilitate humanitarian access and provide direct support to vulnerable households. He emphasized the need for low-interest loans to stimulate small businesses and craft enterprises. “Direct assistance through dedicated funds and humanitarian organizations could help to revive markets and expand microfinance options,” Teks said.
