A Humanitarian Worker Offers Another Perspective on the War in Sudan

Source: CNN Arabic
Turkish humanitarian worker Narin Vandoglu has loved drawing since childhood. But today, her passion is no longer just a hobby or a pastime. Given the nature of her work—filled with difficult moments in conflict zones—drawing has become her way of maintaining her sense of self and emotional balance.

Vandoglu, an operational advisor with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) based in Geneva, visited Sudan twice in 2025, traveling to both Darfur and Khartoum. She documented her field missions through watercolor paintings, producing a collection of vibrant artwork that portrays daily life and offers a different perspective on what is described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in one of the world’s largest displacement crises.

Vandoglu began drawing during her first mission in Yemen, but her relationship with the hobby changed while working with MSF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when she learned that an armed group had attacked a nearby village.

In an interview with CNN Arabic, she said: “We went there early in the morning with basic supplies and treated a large number of patients. At the end of the day, when we returned to our base, I realized that I felt nothing. I wasn’t sad, angry, or even tired. I simply felt emotionally numb. I knew something was wrong.”

A psychologist then advised her to find a way to express herself, and the idea of returning to drawing came to mind. Since then, it has become an essential part of her life.

Moments from Sudan
Vandoglu continued drawing during her stay in Sudan this year, but this time she wanted to document what she saw and felt. Through her artwork, she captures small details of daily life—markets, cafés, roads, and food. She added: “Through my drawings, I try to show that Sudan is more than just a conflict. Beyond the war, there is resilience, beauty, and daily life.”

For example, when Vandoglu shared a painting of the Sudanese pyramids, many people were surprised to learn they existed, sparking discussions about history and culture—not just conflict.

The Women of Sudan
Among her favorite drawings is a portrait of a woman she met in a café while traveling from Atbara to Khartoum. “We stopped for a break, and the woman was selling coffee from a small kiosk in front of an abandoned building, almost in the middle of nowhere,” she said.

At first, Vandoglu thought the woman was alone, but then noticed a baby and a young child playing in the corner. While sipping her coffee, Vandoglu learned that the woman had been displaced three times since the war began, and each time she rebuilt her small coffee business with her children beside her.

“She inspired me with her strength,” Vandoglu said.

Vandoglu noted that Sudanese women serve as political activists and rights defenders in their communities, adding: “I believe this strength is why they’re being deliberately targeted in the current conflict,” especially as many are deprived of medical or psychological care.

“What pains me most is that people know nothing about the war, and that the Sudanese people have been left alone and forgotten,” she said. “My hope, through sharing my drawings, is that some people will choose to see and acknowledge the reality in Sudan—and take action to show solidarity.”