Abdullah Ibrahim once lived a stable, middle-class life in Khartoum, running a small shop that sold used spare parts. His earnings supported both his immediate and extended family, and he had managed to save for emergencies. That stability disappeared when war broke out. His shop was looted, his home was destroyed, and he was left without a livelihood. As prices rose in the areas he fled to, his savings slowly ran out, eventually forcing him to live in a displacement camp.
Ibrahim’s story reflects the reality faced by thousands of Sudanese families after more than two years of conflict involving the Rapid Support Forces. Communities that once depended on trade, farming, and small businesses have seen their sources of income vanish. Many are now without stable shelter, work, or enough resources to meet their daily needs.
According to Sudan’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Welfare, Mutasim Ahmed Saleh, the country’s poverty rate has surged from 21% to 71%. He stated that around 23 million people are now living below the poverty line as a direct result of the war. The figures highlight the scale of economic collapse and the growing pressure on already fragile systems.
The minister stressed that the government is focused on recovery through productive projects, job creation, and stronger social responsibility programs. He emphasized the expansion of microfinance initiatives and partnerships with the private sector, alongside coordination with the Central Bank to make funding more accessible. Supporting small businesses and productive families, he said, is essential for rebuilding livelihoods and reducing poverty.
