Hafiz Abdalla​ is part of a dedicated team of resilient national staff in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan committed to helping others. He tells us about his journey from chaos, violence, and uncertainty to safety and purpose.

Life in the shadow of violence

Growing up in Sudan, I was inspired by humanitarian workers and dreamed of easing people’s suffering.

Joining OCHA Khartoum in 2023 gave me purpose—just a month before violence erupted.

Being from Darfur, I was no stranger to conflict. But my wife and children, new to this reality, were terrified.

We lived in Al-Riyad, near RSF bases, and had to flee to ad-Damazine, hoping it would remain safe.

Soon, roads were blocked, and I feared food shortages, closed schools, and danger to my family. I had no choice but to flee.

A harrowing journey

We planned to reach Uganda via South Sudan. Under heavy rain, we left ad-Damazine in a minibus with other families.

Muddy roads trapped us for two days, leaving us without food or water. When the bus broke down, help couldn’t reach us. We had to choose - wait or walk.

With roads submerged, walking meant swimming. I tied our group together with a rope to safely cross a stream. We made it.

We reached an area called But, still in Sudan, then took a truck to Renk, in South Sudan. After three days through the jungle, we found shelter in a hotel—finally able to shower and eat.

 From Renk, we flew to Juba on a cargo plane with no seats. My daughter, frightened, went up to the pilot and asked for a gentle flight. Her innocence was disarming.  

Caring for family from afar

After two days in Juba, we traveled to Kampala, Uganda. We had become refugees.  

It is hard to describe the pain of being forced to leave your home and everything you know behind.

A few months later, I returned to ad-Damazine for work, while my family stayed behind. My mother and relatives remained in Al-Fashir, where violence worsened. After 20 failed attempts, they finally escaped and joined me.

I’ve only seen my children twice a year since. Limited leave and long travel make visits rare.

Life without them is painful, but I take it one day at a time.

Unwavering dedication

I find strength in faith and the belief that helping others brings divine support. The OCHA Staff Welfare team, especially Mojgan, has been an enormous source of comfort.

Life will confront you with hardship, but it will also give you moments of light, and as a father, I must believe that a better future awaits my children.

By sharing my story, I hope to reassure colleagues living through similar circumstances that they are not alone, and that they will get through this.  

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