Disabled and Displaced

Elkhansa shares her experiences of the Sudan crisis.

Elkhansa is a young disability rights activist in Sudan. Before the recent conflict began, she was living in the country’s capital and working at the ADD Sudan office. She shared her thoughts with us earlier this year.

Since the fighting began she has faced inconceivable challenges, made more complicated by her disability, the reduced accessibility caused by the conflict situation, and discrimination from the local community where she is staying away from the fighting.

She explains how the conflict is affecting disabled people in Sudan:

“People with disabilities will be more affected by the war than others.

“People with physical disabilities or users of wheelchairs will not be able to run if explosions occur, and people with hearing impairments will not be able to hear those with explosions or hearing gunshots if they are next to them, so they will not know what is happening, and people with visual disabilities will not see what is happening with them. They will not see if someone is attacking them, or if someone wants to loot them, and if explosions occur next to them, they will not know the way out or escape.”

Elkhansa sits in a chair smiling off camera. She wears a blue striped top and grey headscarf.

It is very difficult to move outside the house, even to escape to another state other than the one in which the clashes are taking place, and it is difficult for us to reach food and health needs.

At this time, Elkhansa has managed to move away from the centre of the conflict and find somewhere to stay. However, this has brought fresh difficulties for her.

“The first challenge is that I suffer from a lack of understanding or acceptance by others in the rural area of my disability.

“Secondly, the place is not prepared for my special needs and the things that make it easier for me to support myself or implement my desires and my very personal needs.

“I cannot help myself in such circumstances, and even the health support allocated to me as a person with a disability are not available due to the lack of awareness of my type of disability in this area.”

Elkhansa is a powerful and impactful activist. Before this conflict began she was playing a key role in advocating for disability justice. But she says this situation is threatening her belief in being able to make lasting change. Ableism is everywhere, but felt most keenly in a crisis situation. It’s vital we support the disability rights movement in Sudan at this time.

Support disabled people in Sudan.

You can help by donating to our Sudan Crisis Appeal. The money we raise will go to the ADD team in Sudan, our partner disability rights organisations, and the disabled people they represent.

The money will be used for basic provisions like food, accommodation and transport to safer areas, as well as accessing health care and support.

The money raised will help us to relocate, and also to pay for somewhere to stay. We have lost our homes and many of us are staying with other people or living in refugee camps.
Elkhansa

Please support by donating to this appeal.

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