Fatima’s story: A child’s hope amid Sudan’s crisis
16 February 2026As one of 8.6 million internally displaced people in Sudan, 10-year-old Fatima’s journey from her home in Khartoum to an internally displaced peoples' camp in Port Sudan is a testament to both the devastation of the conflict and the courage of a child caught in the turmoil of Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
The youngest of four girls in a family of eight children, Fatima once lived a happy life in Khartoum. She remembers riding her bike through the neighbourhood, playing with toys and enjoying a variety of foods such as fruit and meat. However, when violence erupted, her family fled their home following a terrifying attack.
“I don’t remember much about the attacks on Khartoum,” says Fatima, her voice steady. The family first sought refuge in Sennar, where they stayed for two months. There, armed groups caused further chaos by killing residents and stealing generators. Yet, even as her younger brother cried and some family members wept, Fatima remained unshaken. “I wasn’t scared,” she says. “I am brave.”
A new home
They continued their journey to Sinja, before finally settling in a camp in Port Sudan, a city under strain from the influx of displaced families. The camp, where tents offer little protection against temperatures exceeding 44°C (111°F), has become their home.
When they arrived, Fatima’s family was given a tent and a basket of food. Life here is starkly different from life in Khartoum. Meals mostly consist of lentil soup, eaten twice daily, and meat is a rare treat, such as during Eid. Her father works in the market to provide for the family, and thankfully, clean water is readily available.
Despite the hardships, Fatima has found moments of joy. She has made friends with girls from Sennar and Aljazeera, and they bond over stories about their old homes and the war that turned their lives upside down. “We sit and play together in the yards between the tents,” she says.
These friendships provide a sense of normality in an upside-down world. Fatima attends the UNICEF-run school in the camp and will soon advance from third to fourth grade. Education is a lifeline for her, connecting her to her dreams of a peaceful future.
Sudan is in crisis
Sudan is in crisis following the civil war, with nearly 13 million people displaced and 30.4 million in need of humanitarian aid. Over 70% of health facilities in conflict zones are non-operational, and one-third of the population is affected by food insecurity.
In Port Sudan, power cuts and water shortages further exacerbate the challenges of camp life, while outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dengue fever are a constant threat. Plan International is responding by providing life-saving aid, including protection services, psychosocial support and education for children like Fatima. However, attacks on infrastructure, such as the airport and fuel depots in Port Sudan, hinder these efforts.
Fatima’s courage shines through, even when faced with violence in Port Sudan. Recalling an attack on the city, she says: “I was asleep, but my brother kept crying, and my mother tried to comfort us. I still wasn’t scared.”
Tools to rebuild lives
Through the work of organisations like Plan International, children like Fatima are given the tools they need to rebuild their lives: education, support and a listening ear. As she plays with her friends and studies at the camp school, Fatima holds fast to her hope of a healed Sudan. “I want my country to be okay again.”
She dreams of returning to Khartoum, where her family’s home is said to be intact, and where her old school and memories await her. Her bravery is a powerful reminder of children’s resilience amid unimaginable hardship. “I want to tell the people fighting that we don’t want this war,” she says.
Support girls like Fatima
Please donate what you can to help girls like Fatima survive this ongoing crisis.
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