Displacement in their eyes

About five million children in Sudan have been forced from their homes, making it one of the largest child displacements crises in the world. Tens of thousands have been displaced multiple times. 

Twelve-year-old Safaa, who fled the recent violence in the Kordofan region, is one of them. At such a young age, fleeing to safety meant taking one of the hardest decisions of her life. Leaving behind her parents.

“My mother and father could not come because they did not have enough money.”

For children uprooted by conflict, displacement is more than a journey from one place to another. It is a story of loss, memories, courage, adjustment, resilience and hope. 

Safaa shares her story of friendships left behind, a home she misses, interrupted education and her dream of one day reuniting with her parents. Through her eyes, displacement is not only a story of loss, but also one of hope.

Home was not just a house for Safaa. It was where she felt safe, surrounded by loved ones. Today, she carries those memories with her, often bringing them to life through drawings in her notebook.

“I remember our home. It had a baobab tree and two cats.”

There are small things she misses too.

“I miss the rain because it does not rain much here.”

Together with her older sister, who is now her guardian, Safaa is creating new bonds and rebuilding her life. Her nieces, nephews and new friends have become her playmates, helping her adjust to unfamiliar surroundings.

But the absence of her parents continues to weigh heavily on her.

“I miss my mother.”

Even in emergencies, play is essential to a child’s wellbeing.

Safaa loves skipping rope, a game she often played with her friends back home. She also struggles with the thought of leaving many treasured belongings behind.  

“If I could go back and bring one thing with me, I would bring my doll that I used to play with.”

For children affected by conflict, play is more than just fun. It helps them cope with trauma, build resilience, and regain a sense of normalcy.

Conflict has disrupted access to food and livelihoods for families affected by the war across Sudan. Like many displaced children, Safaa faces these challenges every day. 

“The hardest things here are water and food.”

Every day, Safaa goes out to collect water for her family in the neighbourhood. While the task is tideous, the children have turned it into a fun activity, supporting each other and finding moments of joy along the way. 

There is no place like home, and life in displacement continues to be challenging for families, especially children.

For Safaa, even the landscape feels different.

“The difference between my home and here is that there are no plants here.”

School was one of Safaa’s favorite places. It was where she learned, played and spent time with her friend Rabha in grade three.

“I love reading.”

Education remains one of the things she values most.

“The most important thing to me is education.”

Like millions of children across Sudan, Safaa’s education was interrupted by conflict. Today, she is enrolled in a nearby school and working hard to catch up on her studies.

She dreams of becoming a teacher one day. 

A children's crisis

The conflict in Sudan is taking a devastating toll on children.

Millions have been forced from their homes, many displaced multiple times. They face growing risks of disease, violence and abuse, while their education and childhoods continue to be disrupted.  

Safaa is one of millions of children whose lives have been shaped by conflict. Behind every displaced child is a story of courage, resilience and hope for a better future.

When asked what she would change if she could, her answer is simple.

“It would be to stop the war.”

Above all, Safaa hopes for what every child deserves: to be reunited with the people she loves.

“I hope to see my mother and father one day.”