Returnees Confront Widespread Damage
People who fled their homes during the months of heavy fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are beginning to return to Khartoum. The capital was among the earliest areas to be affected by the conflict and is widely regarded as one of the worst hit, leaving returning residents to confront extensive damage.
Disrupted services and fragile living conditions
Those coming back to the city face disrupted public services and damaged residential areas. Electricity, water and health services that many relied on before the conflict remain unreliable in many parts of Khartoum, complicating the efforts of families attempting to re-establish normal life.
Humanitarian and reconstruction challenges
Humanitarian needs in the capital are significant as individuals and communities try to assess losses and repair what they can. Rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure and ensuring access to basic supplies are among the immediate problems confronting returnees and local authorities alike.
Security and the longer-term outlook
The trajectory of recovery in Khartoum will be closely tied to the security situation and political developments between the SAF and the RSF. Until the fighting eases and movement becomes more predictable, many returnees are likely to face ongoing uncertainty about their safety, livelihoods and the pace of reconstruction in the capital.