A Journey from Sudan to Ethiopia and Back, Facing Hardship and Holding onto Hope
A Nation Uprooted
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between rival military factions, plunging the nation into chaos. The violence has claimed thousands of lives, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced millions. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 2 million people have fled their homes, with more than 70,000 seeking refuge in Ethiopia by April 2025. Yet, for many, the promise of safety in neighboring countries has given way to new struggles—overcrowded camps, scarce resources, and pervasive insecurity.
In this turbulent landscape, Ezzeldeen, affectionately known as “Ezzo,” embodies the resilience of countless Sudanese civilians. His journey—from his home in Kutum Locality, North Darfur State, to the refugee camps of Ethiopia, and back to Sudan—reflects the profound challenges and enduring hope of those caught in the crossfire of war.
A Life Interrupted in Kutum
Ezzo’s story begins in Kutum Locality, a rural region in North Darfur State renowned for its agricultural heritage and bustling markets. Before the war, Ezzo led a simple life rooted in community and tradition. “I didn’t have much, but I had dignity and felt secure,” he recalls, his words painting a picture of a modest yet meaningful existence. He tended to crops alongside his neighbors, traded goods in the local market, and found comfort in the rhythms of daily life.
But the escalating conflict shattered this stability. By early 2023, the sounds of gunfire and explosions crept closer to Kutum, replacing the hum of village life with terror. The sight of wounded civilians and burning homes became all too common. “I couldn’t stay,” Ezzo says, his voice heavy with the weight of that decision. With little more than the clothes on his back, he joined thousands of others fleeing southward, crossing the border into Ethiopia in search of safety.
The Harsh Reality of Refuge
Ethiopia, a longstanding host to refugees from across the Horn of Africa, offered Ezzo a reprieve. Yet, upon arrival, he encountered a starkly different reality. After hours of waiting in the blistering heat, he was directed to a sprawling refugee camp near the border. The camp, designed to shelter thousands, was stretched beyond capacity. Tents were in short supply, forcing Ezzo and others to sleep on the unforgiving ground. Clean water was a luxury, and meals, often just a handful of grains, were sporadic.
“Fear was always there, especially at night,” Ezzo recounts, his eyes reflecting the unease of those sleepless hours. Ethiopia’s own instability compounded the camp’s precarious conditions. In the Amhara region, clashes between government forces and local militias spilled over into refugee areas, heightening the sense of danger. Reports from Human Rights Watch and Reuters document a litany of threats faced by Sudanese refugees, including theft, extortion, and even kidnappings. Ezzo witnessed the tension firsthand. “I heard about people being taken,” he says quietly, the memory still raw.
After just over two weeks, the mounting insecurity and lack of basic support eroded any sense of sanctuary. “I no longer felt safe,” he admits. Faced with an impossible choice—endure the camp’s perils or brave the risks of return—Ezzo resolved to go back to Sudan, clinging to the faint hope that conditions there might have improved.
A Treacherous Return
The journey home was just as harrowing as the escape. Ezzo joined a group of returnees packed into a rickety truck, traversing treacherous roads scarred by conflict. The trip stretched across days, with little food or water to sustain them. At night, they slept under the stars, vulnerable to the cold and the ever-present threat of ambush. Yet, amidst the hardship, a quiet solidarity emerged. “We shared what little we had,” Ezzo recalls, a faint smile breaking through. Fellow travelers offered scraps of bread, exchanged tips on safer routes, and bolstered each other’s spirits.
Upon reaching Sudan, Ezzo settled in an undisclosed location within the country, a decision shaped by both necessity and a desire for privacy. But the Sudan he returned to was not the one he had left. The war had left deep wounds—economies crippled, healthcare systems in tatters, and communities fractured. “I’m trying to survive, hoping for peace,” he says, his tone a blend of weariness and resolve. Jobs are scarce, and medical care remains out of reach for many, including Ezzo. Still, he presses on, piecing together a life amid the ruins.
A Call for Humanity
Ezzo’s experiences have fueled a passionate plea for change. “We’re human beings—we just want safety and respect,” he insists, his frustration aimed at a world he feels has overlooked Sudan’s refugees. He demands better conditions in camps—secure shelters, reliable food supplies, and accessible healthcare—as well as meaningful support for those, like him, who return home. “The aid organizations need to see us, really see us,” he says.
His call aligns with urgent appeals from groups like the International Federation of Red Cross, which has pressed for increased funding and safer access to assist displaced populations. Ezzo also draws strength from the resilience he’s witnessed. “That’s what keeps us going—the way we support each other,” he notes, highlighting how neighbors share meager resources and lend a hand in times of need.
Dreams Amid the Ashes
Despite the unrelenting challenges, Ezzo holds fast to a vision of renewal. “I want a Sudan without war, with healthcare and safety… what we all deserve,” he declares. It’s a dream echoed by millions, as documented in UNHCR reports, and one that sustains him through the darkest days. For now, his needs are basic yet unmet—a safe place to live, enough food to eat, and a chance to earn a living. “Even with all this, I still dream—of a small home, honest work, and a life without fear,” he says, his words a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and aspire.
The Bigger Picture
Ezzo’s story is but one thread in a vast tapestry of displacement woven across Sudan and beyond. The international community, he believes, has a role to play—bolstering humanitarian aid, advocating for peace, and ensuring that refugees and returnees alike are not forgotten. Organizations like the UNHCR and the Red Cross continue to sound the alarm, but resources remain stretched thin. For Ezzo and countless others, the road ahead is uncertain, yet their determination to reclaim their lives shines as a beacon of hope in a fractured world.
Note on Ezzo’s Privacy
Given the sensitive nature of Ezzeldeen (Ezzo)’s situation, specific personal details, such as his current whereabouts in Sudan, have been intentionally withheld or altered to ensure his safety. The ongoing conflict and instability in the region make it crucial to protect his identity and location from potential risks. Ezzo has expressed his intention to share more about his current journey and experiences in Sudan once he feels it is safe to do so, after he is back in a secure environment. Until then, we respect his need for privacy and focus on supporting his journey toward a safer future.
