Over 12 million people have fled their homes in Sudan, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises. Among them is 23-year-old Malaz Nasr Aldeen Alzain, whose life has been disrupted twice by the ongoing violence.
Malaz, once a Medical Laboratory and Science student at Al Madain College in Khartoum, saw her education upended when conflict erupted in April 2023. Forced to leave her home, she relocated with her family to Al Jazirah State, over 100 kilometers away.
While her studies continued online, Malaz faced significant challenges. “I need internet and tools to keep studying, but it’s very difficult,” she said.
In October 2024, renewed violence forced her family to flee again, this time to Gedaref State, nearly 300 kilometers from their previous refuge. With no transportation available, the family endured a grueling seven-day walk through villages, often without food.
Upon reaching Gedaref, the local community provided essential aid, including food, water, and medicine. However, high living costs forced Malaz’s family to settle in the Al Rabwa displacement site, where hundreds of families rely on humanitarian assistance for survival.
According to a UNHCR report, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and the UN Refugee Agency provided Malaz’s family and 250 other displaced families with essential relief kits. These included plastic tarpaulins, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and cooking supplies, which Malaz said helped them adjust to their difficult circumstances.
“I’m grateful for the support,” she said. “The mosquito net protects us, and the water provided by other humanitarian partners is a lifeline.”
Despite the hardships, Malaz remains determined to complete her education and contribute to Sudan’s healthcare system. For now, she draws strength from her family and the assistance they receive, which keeps hope alive amid the challenges of displacement.