Hunger strike for Sudan #Strike4Sudan

Last month a powerful wave of protests swept across Sudan after the National Congress Party announced a lift on subsidies; making it almost impossible for law-abiding citizens to eke out a living under such harsh economic conditions. This time around, the turnout was much bigger, where thousands took to the streets throughout various Sudanese states. Seemingly panicked and unprepared, security forces took it upon themselves to murder hundreds of peaceful, unarmed protesters. This was all done amid a media blackout after the authorities decided to shut down internet services for more than 24 hours. Following further protests security forces also went on an arresting spree; kidnapping, detaining and torturing thousands of activists. Many media outlets covering these events, including Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya, were shut down. 

Triggered by the death of one student, the October Revolution of 1964 centered around a general strike that spread throughout the country. This resulted in numerous deaths, and on 15 November, it prompted the overthrow of General Abbud leading the country towards a democracy. 

I started a hunger strike on 21 October 2013 and will resume the strike for 5 days. I am often asked why I am doing this, how this will create an impact, and if anyone will even know that I’m on a hunger strike. I was told that Bashir doesn’t even know that I exist, that he let millions starve before me and he wouldn’t care if I jumped off the Kober bridge and killed myself. I don’t care for these passive comments. They represent everything that is wrong with a large apathetic portion of our community. 

I am on a hunger strike because it is my way to protest the injustices that have been taking place in my country for the past 24 years. I am on a hunger strike because I do not know how to be silent in the face of dictatorship. I am on a hunger strike to show my solidarity to families of martyrs and detainees. I am on strike because I believe in freedom of expression. 

I am not alone in this strike. There are many of us. A dear friend of mine started a hunger strike solo a couple of weeks ago. People thought he was crazy, but today, he inspired dozens to follow in his footsteps. 

Demands of the hunger strike are as follows: 

1- Release of all political detainees; 

2- Bringing those responsible for the killing of protesters to justice and allowing people to demonstrate without fear of detention or use of force; 

3- Freedom of expression and allowing journalists to resume their role and lift the bans on newspapers. 

Make your voice heard. Sign our petition.

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Letter to the mothers of the detainees

Last year, I was taken from my home at midnight. Without notice, a small army of NISS officers barged into our house, a dozen of them carrying weapons. They welcomed themselves into our living room, awoke everyone with their loud voices and intimidation tactics, and yelled "where is she, she is coming with us". I was in my room, asleep, when my father softly awoke me. In his calmest demeanour, he informed me that "they" were here and that they were going to take me with them. It wasn't my first encounter with the NISS, just a few days earlier they had kidnapped me from my car along with a journalist friend of mine. They kept me for 4 hours and then sent me home. They then deported my friend to her country. And now, there I was, less than a week later, being faced with the same unfortunate encounter. 

I quickly got up and started to get dressed. The officers then barged into my room and turned it upside down, searching for so-called evidence. They looked through every detail of my personal belongings, and confiscated a number of items they deemed relevant. As this was happening, they were yelling at me and causing a stir of chaos. I said nothing, and glanced at my parents and sisters and saw the looks on their faces. They were sick with worry. My youngest sister couldn't fight back her tears, and my mom looked as though he had seen a loved one die. I was afraid, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. However, at that very moment, I gained an enormous amount of courage. Seeing my family so weak and frazzled made me realise what I had to do. I had to stay strong for them. If they saw that I was strong, they would feel less worried about me, I convinced myself. I felt that whatever my reaction was, it would trigger a domino effect. If I broke down, they would too. I smiled at them reassuringly, not knowing what the future held for me. 

As I was led to the car that was escorting me to the unknown point of my detention or arrest, my family was walking behind me, glancing back and forth at these foreign, armed men that were taking me away from them. As I sat in the backseat of the car and the officer drove away, I took a last look at them. My mother sat on the floor, with the palms of her hands on her cheeks. That moment right there, was even worse an experience for me than the detention itself.

Mothers of Dahlia, Rayan and all the brave revolutionaries who are currently held by the NISS, your daughters are brave women who are currently shaping the history of our country. Fear not for them, they will not cry and they will not break. Just know that, as long as you stay strong for them, they will not break. There is no force or power strong enough to break them. Be proud, be patient and be wise. I came out of my detention stronger. They tried to break me, but I didn't break. I was looking forward to one thing: seeing my loved ones again. My only fear was not being able to see them ever again. Your daughters will be released and they will once again feel the warmth of your embrace and rejoice with you over the birth of a new and free Sudan. 

Fear not, but rejoice.

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Flash floods in Sudan affect many areas; a report by #Nafeer

Date: 6 August, 2013

Nafeer is a volunteer group of young people working together to aid families that have been affected by the heavy rains that took place on August 1 and 2, causing flash floods in various areas of Sharg Elneel, Karari, Umbadda and Khartoum North localities. Affected areas have been identified based on data collected by Nafeer volunteers through incident reports, questionnaires filled out by affected people, and interviews with popular councils of affected neighbourhoods.

The results pinpoint the following areas:
- Marabee Ashareef
- Soba Sharig
- Kiryab and Umashosh in Sharg Elneel
- Alfateh 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Karari
- Dar Elsalam block 3
- Alamriya blocks 28 and 29 and Hashaba in Umbadda
- Aldorooshab in Khartoum North

New areas continue to emerge based on emergency hotline reports and as access to areas is facilitated. As of yet, the number of houses affected by the flash floods is 14,517, occupied by approximately 72,5851 people. This figure is a low estimate as many areas were completely inaccessible to volunteers as they were completely submerged in water. At least 950 homes in the identified areas were completely destroyed by the rain; the remaining 759 homes suffered partial collapse (i.e. houses did not fall apart entirely). Data collection is ongoing and all figures are updated daily. Nafee volunteers were able to reach all aforementioned areas except for Marabee Alshareef, Um Ashosh and Soba Sharig in Sharg Elneel, as they were rendered completely inaccessible by the rain. Nafeer volunteers were able to distribute water, food and mosquito nets in parts of Kiryab, Alfath, Hashaba and Darelsalam. 1,000 tents and plastic sheets have been distributed in Alfath; tents were also distributed in Aldoroshab. 250 bags of food items have been distributed in Hashaba. Ready-made food was also distributed by Sadagaat in Marabee Alshareef, Alfath 3 and 4, as well as Darelsalam. Two boats were purchased to facilitate movement in Marabee Ashareef. However, the need for clean water continues to be pressing. Some families are still living in nearby schools and in harsh conditions; many areas are without electricity or means of transportation.

Urgent needs identified by affected people using questionnaires and interviews conducted as of August 6 continue to be as follows:
- potable water
- food
- tents
- mosquito nets
- blankets
- sleeping mats
- clothes
- jerry cans
- cooking sets
- flash lights or rechargeable LED batteries

All affected areas are in urgent need of water; families in these areas have been surviving on unsafe tank water that is sold at double the regular price. In addition, markets in affected areas have been flooded and food prices (if available) have since soared. Many families have lost their kitchen and cooking sets; as such, canned foods, powdered milk, infant formula and ready made food are the best options for distribution. Most affected people are in need of sleeping mats, blankets and even clothes as they have lost all their belongings in the flash floods. The Nafeer data collection team continues to gather data for a comprehensive situation analysis. As such, field data collection has been continuing everyday in order to update the Nafeer Bulletin and the basic data sheet below.

We count on your support for these families in this tragic situation.

You can support by donating in cash/kind/time by contacting Nafeer at the following:

- To donate:
          a) Credit transfer to Zain: 0918660866
          b) Call: 0912974410
- To volunteer: call 0994579964
- To report damage: call 0998738652 or 0123123589

For other information:

nafeer.campaign@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/gabaileid

*

Figures 

cited 

are

 estimates 

and

 only

 indicative 

of 

areas 

reached 

by 

Nafeer. 

Actual 

figures 

are 

expected 

to 

be 

higher.

Follow #Nafeer on Twitter: @NafeerCampaign

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