The cost of Ramadan supplies in Darfur this year is the highest compared to previous years (Al Jazeera)

El Fasher -

The economic and social effects of Ramadan this year are evident in the markets of the Darfur region, western Sudan.

Merchants rushed to put consumer items designated for the month of fasting on the markets, despite weak purchasing power due to the repercussions of the war currently taking place in the country, between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since last April 15.

The cost of Ramadan supplies this year is the highest compared to previous years, due to the sharp rise in the prices of basic foodstuffs, and the difficulty of securing the necessary materials to prepare the traditional Ramadan foods that they are accustomed to preparing during this blessed month.

Local markets in the Darfur region suffer from several challenges that negatively affect the supply of goods and prices, as the region is witnessing a shortage of supplies coming from the east of the country (Port Sudan), due to the expansion of the war and its negative repercussions on the movement of commercial convoys to and from Darfur.

Supplies have been partially halted, and the region has also witnessed a decrease in the production of corn and grains this year, which increases pressure on local markets, leads to higher prices and greatly affects economic and social stability.

The movement of commercial convoys loaded with goods coming from Port Sudan to Darfur stopped with the intensification of the war in the region, which made it difficult for the commercial convoys to reach their intended destination due to the lack of security, as the joint force consisting of the armed struggle movements in Darfur was working to secure the arrival of these convoys. It crossed the national road linking the east and west of the country, which further complicated the economic situation in the region.

Local markets in the Darfur region suffer from several challenges that negatively affect the supply of goods and prices (Al Jazeera)

Market fluctuations

The Al Jazeera Net correspondent toured the market in the city of El Fasher - one of the oldest cities in Darfur historically - before the beginning of the month of Ramadan, with the aim of identifying the changes that occurred in the prices of basic commodities.

Traders told Al Jazeera Net that the prices of sugar, flour, oil and some dry drinks have risen significantly, at a time when the market is witnessing a gradual rise in meat prices with the interruption of chicken supplies due to the power outage.

The prices of vegetables and fruits also witnessed some fluctuations, but they did not rise to the same extent as the prices of basic goods imported from neighboring countries.

Such as: Libya and Chad.

Repercussions of the war

Wholesalers and retailers were affected by the war taking place in the country. This war damaged the infrastructure and partially stopped the movement of goods from factories to merchants, and made it difficult for them to meet the needs of the markets.

Adel Ahmed Sabeel, a wholesaler from one of the markets in the city of El Fasher, says, "The war has greatly affected the ability of wholesalers to fulfill orders and provide goods to local markets."

He added in an interview with Al Jazeera Net, "The high costs of transportation, shipping, and insurance as a result of security tensions and the deterioration of infrastructure have made it difficult for wholesalers to maintain competitive prices and increase profit levels."

Merchants are complaining of a decline in demand and sales volume due to the significant decline in consumers' purchasing power, in light of the rise in prices of basic commodities.

The difficult economic conditions in Darfur have presented the population with great challenges to secure their food needs during the month of Ramadan, as the consumption of some foodstuffs related to traditional dishes that are famous in the region increases during the blessed month.

The most prominent of which is: the bitter sweet drink (Iberi), which is considered a symbol of quality and food traditions in the region in general.

Merchants are complaining of a decline in demand and sales volume due to the significant decline in purchasing power (Al Jazeera)

Official efforts

Despite these difficult conditions, the authorities and representatives of local organizations are working to find solutions to reduce the financial burden on families and provide basic foodstuffs to residents in need in Darfur, especially in displacement camps and shelter centers.

Arwa Muhammad Idris, Humanitarian Aid Coordinator in South Darfur State, says that the authorities are intensifying their efforts to meet the needs of the population in light of the economic and social challenges they face.

She added in her interview with Al Jazeera Net that the state has not received any humanitarian aid from international organizations and bodies in the recent period, but nevertheless it launched an awareness campaign and assistance programs aimed at improving the lives of displaced people in shelter centers during the month of Ramadan.

This campaign aims to provide food, shelter and other necessary services to those in need.

For his part, Malik Shamo Saber, coordinator of the displaced in South Darfur state, says that the authorities have formed field work teams to follow up on the needs of citizens and displaced people in the most affected areas during the month of Ramadan.

He confirmed in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that the number of displaced people in the city of Nyala and those in shelters in the city of El Fasher reached more than 11 thousand people.

He added that these teams are working to assess their actual needs with the aim of providing humanitarian aid, pointing out the suffering they face, especially with regard to the lack of food, water and health care.

These days, the Darfur regional government, state governments, international and local organizations, and civil society are making efforts, through partnerships and continuous coordination with the relevant authorities, to facilitate the delivery of aid, food materials, and medicines to people affected by the war in Darfur as quickly as possible.

Source: Al Jazeera