Voices from Tigray Refugee Camp in Sudan
Voices of Tigray Children and Youth in Um Rakuba Camp, in Gedarif
In November 2020, conflict broke out in the Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia forcing thousands of refugees from their homes into neighbouring countries including Sudan.
UNICEF and other humanitarian partners remain on the ground to support the government’s emergency response, addressing their immediate but urgent needs.
For UNICEF, supporting continuity of essential services during emergency situations includes provision of primary health care services including immunization among other critical services like psychosocial support, nutrition, maternal health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and much more.
Children in Um Rakuba camp in Gedaref, East Sudan -- remain hopeful and resilient despite their situation, hear from them through their own voices below.
"In order for me to become a doctor I push myself to absorb as much information as possible. To me, education makes me happy because my people are suffering and having a good education is a way to always protect yourself. I want to be able to medicate and support my people when I become a doctor"
"I live in Um Rakuba camp with my mother and stepfather and attend IRW School. The biggest worry I have is that I won’t have a certified education in the camp, but this isn’t stopping me from learning. I want to become a doctor because treating those in need is important and makes my community stronger"
"I support my mother in selling tea in Um Rakuba camp. I love that I get the opportunity to learn with my friends in IRW school. I have a passion in making traditional clothes with my mother from scratch. I have seen and heard bad things happening to my community and this is why I want become a doctor."
"Learning and playing with my friends makes me always happy. In my free time I play volleyball and make sure all friends are playing. I want to be a doctor because treating sickness makes my family and community safe"
"I live in Um Rakuba camp with my family and attend the IRW School. The thing I like to do the most is swimming. It’s been a long time since I went back to school, I am ready to learn and avoid any kind of stress. I want to become English teacher because I want to educate those who struggle in English, including my community"
"Football is my hobby and let’s just say I like to be in the winning team (all the time). Every day you will see me at IRW school because education fills me up with happiness. I want to be a Banker or Accountant (haven’t decided yet). I feel inside that this is my calling and I am hopeful the IRW School will help me pursue my dreams."
"I live in Um Rakuba camp with my family. Welcome to school, I love Maths because I always get good grades. I want to be doctor when I grow up because my family told me that helping people is important."
"My favorite subject is English because I can talk freely with anyone in the world and it is an international language. I want to become a doctor because I see people getting hurt and the doctor is always there to help any time."
"My hobbies are reading, writing and drawing. I want to be a doctor when I grow up because to be able to give service those in need."
"Welcome to Um Rakuba camp. My name is Hiwat and I love to learn English because I can easily understand it. I love studying and this is why I dream of becoming a doctor."
UNICEF Sudan with UNHCR Sudan is co-coordinating the Refugee Education Working Group to ensure all school-aged children displaced from the Tigray region of Ethiopia can fulfill their right to education.
To date, 4,950 Tigrayan children in Sudan have been reached with safe and supportive learning spaces provided by Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) and Save The Children International (SCI). Education Cannot Wait.
