Mohammed Alaa Eldin, Health Promoter with Médecins Sans Frontières in Port Sudan

Mohammed Alaa Eldin, a health promoter with Médecins Sans Frontières in Port Sudan shares his story of displacement twice and his role within the community.

"This isnt my first stop on the displacement journey. I escaped from Khartoum to Wad Madani, and now, I find myself displaced again in Port Sudan. Traveling across Sudan and seeing new faces has always brought me joy, but this displacement from one place to another is nothing but a nightmare.

However, I try to find meaning in my presence here in Port Sudan, so I joined Médecins Sans Frontières as a health promoter for the displaced.

As a nurse, I saw in this role an opportunity to translate the theoretical concepts we studied at the university into practical humanitarian work. The decision of Médecins Sans Frontières to appoint health promoters from within the refugee community is a wise one, as we can convey accurate information to those who have been displaced with us, share their pains, and understand their needs.

But humanitarian organizations providing support are not the sole supporters in this field, as this role complements the efforts of host communities, contributing all they can.

Building on the spirit of community participation to ensure the continuity of hygiene, our teams work with sanitation specialists at 11 displaced sites, where they have established a Hygiene Management Committee to ensure daily cleaning of pit latrines and the functioning of handwashing stations.

There is a need for sustainable support.

One of the most urgent challenges facing the displaced community is limited access to water, along with insufficient support from other humanitarian organizations to meet various needs. Therefore, we call on more humanitarian actors to contribute to supporting the displaced population in Port Sudan, and responding to this shortage of essential necessities.

Port Sudan is not the only destination for displacement. In the past ten months alone, about 7 million people have been displaced across Sudan and to neighboring countries, with the majority remaining within Sudans borders."

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières Sudan Website