"We came with nothing": Cash assistance helps a family rebuild in Sudan
Story by Plan International
When floodwaters swept through Aj Jazirah Aba town in Sudan’s White Nile State in November 2024, Walieldin, a 30-year-old father of four, had little time to react. Their home, furniture and belongings were washed away.
Exhausted and hungry, Walieldin, his wife and their children fled to a displacement site, uncertain of how they would survive.
“We came with nothing except our children in our hands,” he recalled.
But the floods were only the latest blow. Since conflict erupted in Sudan in 2023, Walieldin’s life had already been turned upside down. He used to travel to Khartoum and Wad Medani for construction work, earning a living as a casual labourer.
When fighting spread across both cities, he was forced to return home, where job opportunities were scarce and his income dwindled. Soon after, flooding struck Aj Jazriah Aba, destroying livelihoods and leaving Walieldin and his family without any source of income.
From loss to stability
With support from the OCHA-managed Sudan Humanitarian Fund, Walieldin’s family was selected to receive cash assistance through a programme implemented by non-governmental organization, Plan International.
The support allowed them to rebuild their lives step by step.
With the first payment, Walieldin and his wife bought food and essential items for their children. They also started selling mobile phone credit and internet top-ups.
“That first payment gave me hope – enough to start something small with my own hands,” he said.
The second payment enabled them to open a roadside kiosk selling basic household goods. With the third, combined with their savings, they invested in a solar-powered charging station. Walieldin uses the charger to power mobile phones and batteries for lighting – services that are in high demand in an area where electricity is scarce and unreliable.
“The solar-powered charger helped me build a stable income. Now I can support my children with dignity,” he shared.
Cash assistance is a lifeline
Across Sudan, millions of people continue to face the combined effect of conflict, displacement and climate shocks. As the war enters its fourth year, families continue to arrive in communities where resources are overstretched and basic services are limited.
Through partners on the ground, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund enables rapid, flexible support to reach those in need. Cash assistance allows families to prioritize their needs, plan ahead and rebuild their lives, while supporting local markets.
In 2025, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund allocated US$164 million to humanitarian partners across the country, thanks to the generous support of donors, including the European Union Humanitarian Aid.
For Walieldin, that supports marked a turning point: “I want to rebuild a better life for my family – this support was the first step toward our future.”