Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese families are streaming back into the war-torn capital of Khartoum daily, only to be met with devastating destruction, crippling power outages, and severe water shortages, hampering efforts to rebuild their lives.
The mass return follows the Sudanese army’s reclamation of the city from militia control in March 2025. However, the victory on the battlefield has not translated to stability on the ground. Essential infrastructure, including power and water treatment plants, was systematically targeted during the conflict, leaving the city in a state of disrepair.
“Life is very, very difficult for hundreds of thousands of people,” reported a journalist on the ground in Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum. “The destruction is really big… most of power and water plants were targeted by the militia.”
Despite the dire conditions, a steady flow of displaced persons is crossing back into Sudan from neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Libya, Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Driven by hope and a desire to return home, these families are attempting to pick up the pieces in a city still reeling from violence.
With public utilities non-functional, daily survival has become a monumental challenge. Residents are now heavily dependent on charities and local aid organizations for basic necessities like clean water and food. The Sudanese government has vowed to repair the critical infrastructure, acknowledging that restoring power and water is essential for a voluntary and sustainable return of its citizens.
However, officials cite a dual crisis stifling progress: a severe lack of funding and the continuation of fierce fighting in other regions, particularly in Kordofan and Darfur. The ongoing conflict diverts resources and complicates large-scale reconstruction efforts, leaving the national government struggling to secure the necessary funds for rehabilitation.
Amid the rubble and hardship, a resilient sense of hope persists among returning citizens. They express a determination to rebuild their homes and communities, clinging to the promise of once again making Khartoum their own. Yet, as the conflict rages on in other parts of the country and basic services remain out of reach, the path to recovery for Sudan’s capital appears long and fraught with challenge.
