Since the Sudan conflict began in April 2023, millions have faced immense hardship. Through EU-funded IRC programmes, Dr. Mogahed Ilkeet, delivers life-saving care at the Tunaydbah camp in Sudan, near the Ethiopian border.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 and people in Sudan have endured immense hardship, including widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Today, 30.4 million people (64% of the population) urgently need humanitarian assistance, while approximately 15 million are displaced.
Amid the ongoing conflict, a medical doctor has committed himself to supporting those in most need.
Dr. Mogahed Ilkeet, 29, has been working for the past 2 years with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) through its program funded by the European Union (EU). Initially focusing on providing aid to Ethiopian refugees affected by conflict, the situation shifted dramatically in April 2023 with increased armed violence in Sudan. Presently, the majority of Dr. Mogahed's patients are Sudanese people displaced within their own country.
His work is relentless. Each day, he treats around 50 patients suffering from chronic illnesses, fever, and malnutrition, while also addressing mental health concerns. But his workload doesn’t stop there—at any moment, he may have to drop everything to handle life-threatening emergencies, adding even more pressure to his already demanding role.
Dr. Mogahed works at the Tunaydbah camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugees in Eastern Sudan, where the IRC continues to provide its support. Situated relatively close to the Sudanese-Ethiopian border, the camp for internally displaced persons has witnessed a continuous influx of IDPs and refugees. Dr. Mogahed himself was displaced and deeply understands how conflict can impact the lives of loved ones.
“When the conflict extended and reached Al Jazirah State, millions of people were forced to flee Al Jazirah and my family is not an exception, unfortunately.”
His family fled from northern to western Al Jazirah State, East-Central Sudan. Its capital, Wad Madani, Sudan’s second-largest city, had become a refuge to around 500,000 displaced people from Khartoum in the conflict’s first 2 months. Then, they were forced to evacuate again due to rumors that the conflict would spread to the western part.
His entire family has been impacted by the conflict.
The IRC and the EU in action: Combating child malnutrition
One of those impacted by Dr. Mogahed’s work with the IRC, alongside a team of dedicated doctors, is Almas Gowramskil. Almas, a 33 years old mother of 3 from Ethiopia, was forced to leave her home due to the conflict.
“The reason we left was fear.”
Almas had to leave with nothing but 2 pieces of clothing and her children, all while the sound of gunfire echoed around them. She had little to provide for her family, with her young son suffering from malnutrition due to the scarcity of food amid the conflict. After her challenging journey, Almas received treatment for her son at the IRC camp. The IRC team provided her with medicine for her child, and as a result, his weight increased. After 3 weeks, his weight has risen from 5 to 6 kilos. Amidst the conflict, Almas hopes for a better future, both in Sudan and Ethiopia.
With the support of the European Union, the IRC is tirelessly working to address the immediate needs of those affected by conflict and displacement.
