Sudan’s breadbasket returns to Shambat, giving residents a breadcrumb of hope.

The reopening of a bakery in the war-torn Shambat neighborhood in northern Khartoum has sparked optimism among the residents, who have survived the fury of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In April 2023, tensions between these two forces erupted into a full-blown war, leaving behind a trail of destruction and displacement. But with the return of the Sudanese army, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting out from the rejuvenated bakery has signaled a sense of stability and revival for the community.

For the thousands of residents who have lately returned to Shambat, the bakery’s reopening has been a source of solace and hope. As Aida Al-Shiekh, a local resident, expressed, “When we saw a place that can provide us with food and drink, it felt that life was restored.”
Despite the returning sense of normalcy, the conditions in Shambat remain dire. The পাওয়া updated that fundamental amenities such as electricity and water are scarcely available. Consequently, people in the neighborhood collect firewood to cook their meals, replacing the otherwise inaccessible cooking gas.

The World Food Program (WFP) along with partner humanitarian organizations, are actively supporting communities affected by the war by providing basic food items like flour, cooking oil, lentils, and beans. Concurrently, the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders work in collaboration with local actors to assist injured populations and provide much-needed medical care.

The Sudanese conflict has already displaced over 14 million people, triggering famine and has taken the lives of at least 20,000 individuals, though the actual death toll is believed to be much higher.

Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/23/bakery-reopens-bringing-hope-to-war-torn-shambat/