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Escaping from Sudan

The anguish, fear and important practicalities of escaping war.

The fighting between Sudan鈥檚 military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started around three weeks ago. Since then, the UN estimates that more than a 100,000 people have fled the country and more than a third of a million have been displaced within Sudan.

Host James Reynolds hears from some of those who have been forced to flee their country. Among them is Ahmed, who escaped to Ethiopia; Nagwa who is living in Canada; and Mohammed, now in the UK.

Mohammed鈥檚 brother has decided to remain in Khartoum for now to secure his home. We hear the brothers talk on the phone, as Mohammed tries to persuade his brother to join his family in Egypt.

鈥淎ll the bullets and the bombs are going somewhere else,鈥 says the brother.

鈥淵ou should leave, man, it鈥檚 not worth it. It鈥檚 just the house,鈥 pleads Mohammed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the house.鈥

We also bring together three women from Europe, Asia and Africa who share experiences of exile: Layiqa, who fled from Afghanistan to Pakistan; Ilona who escaped Ukraine last year for the UK; and Dallia, who was about to get a ferry and leave Sudan. They discuss what they miss from home, and the important things to grab as you flee: such as your passport and mobile phone charger.

(Photo: Nagwa, her daughter Dalia and husband Bushra on an evacuation flight from Sudan)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 May 2023 11:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 May 2023 19:06GMT
  • Sat 6 May 2023 16:06GMT
  • Sat 6 May 2023 23:06GMT
  • Sun 7 May 2023 11:06GMT