Temporary refuge. Hawa’s story – the Sudan Crisis
Hawa and her family fled to Chad to seek refuge from the war in Sudan. Learn about her story of resilience and her current fears for the future.
A return visit – one year later
In 2024, we met Hawa for the first time as she fled the conflict in Sudan, seeking safety in Chad with her children. Her strength, courage, and hope in the face of unimaginable hardship inspired us all. You can read her first story, Temporary Refuge: Hawa’s Story – the Sudan Crisis, to learn about her journey to safety and life in the refugee camp.
Now, almost a year later, we returned to see how life has changed for Hawa and her family — and to witness the difference that a new semi-durable shelter has made.
Read about our first meeting with Hawa
Hawa with her plants.
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Hawa’s story
Hawa sits in her new home, smiling with joy.
In October 2024, during a ShelterBox deployment to Chad, the team was able to sit down with Hawa and talk to her about her journey from Sudan to Chad. She explained the challenges that she has faced both in Sudan, and as she was beginning to build her new life in Chad.
During our most recent visit, the team was lucky enough to re-visit Hawa, to see how she has settled into her new semi-durable shelter and understand how it has affected family life for her and her children. Hawa welcomed us into her new home with great joy and a huge smile on her face, she sat down on her bed and got comfy, visibly delighted to be sitting with us once again, to update us on how life has been.
We asked Hawa what the process of receiving the semi-durable shelter was like. She began by telling us how shocked she was to receive a new home.
Hawa and her family sitting down in the shade.
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We hadn’t even imagined that we would have a house. I asked myself, what exactly did I do at ShelterBox and Help-Tchad to get them to build me a house?
“They were looking for those who don’t have a house and those who have many families. I explained my situation to them, and they came to see my area and see my situation. They asked me questions, and through my answers, they tried to help me.”
“I called my children and told them that ShelterBox and Help Tchad wants to build us a house. They asked when they would come. Then came the yellow car with materials and bricks.”
Hawa tends to her garden, where she grows food for her family.
It was evident how happy Hawa was with her new home. To understand the importance of what having a stable home means to Hawa, we asked what her favourite thing about the new shelter was.
“Before, during the night, I would wake up three or four times to check on those around me, but now that the house has been built, I wake up late when the children go to school, they are the ones waking me up.”
She goes on to say how much safer her home feels now that she has a sturdy door to lock.
“Now I’m safe when I go out, I can lock the house, I have water and electricity, which is already essential for me.”
“Before, when I went out, I tried to get home quickly, but now I’m safe, so I go home whenever I want.”
As well as feeling safer, Hawa expressed how it helps with the harsh climate.
“Before, when we went inside, it was so hot, but now, you see, I don’t have any problems.”
It was clear to see how strongly the community supported each other, always thinking of each other, always looking out for ways to help each other. A testament to the good nature of the people who have had to flee Sudan and restart their lives in Chad. Everything Hawa told us always relayed back to her community and how she hopes they also receive aid.
“Seeing my house, I’m so happy. My neighbours often come to see it and wish they had it too.”
“We suffered, but now that they built us a house, we feel safe. We hope that ShelterBox and Help-Tchad will try to help others by building houses so that they feel safe like us.”
Hawa stands proudly in her new doorway, as we took a photo she said
Can I smile? I want to smile.
Hawa smiling.
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Hopes and challenges for the future
Speaking of her future, Hawa explained that she still had concerns, for her children and what their next steps will be.
In the future, I need education for my children. Two of my children were going to college, another was in elementary school, and they haven’t attended for two years. Both say, ‘Oh, time is passing, and we can’t continue our studies, so what will our future hold?’
As well as uncertainty regarding education, and opportunities for young people in the community, it also became clear that in general, people are struggling to find ways to make a living.
“Living conditions are complicated, I was looking for bundles of wood to sell. Here, there are no activities we can do, like work or business. As you can see, there are no activities; we don’t know where to go or what to do.”
Hawa with her home grown food.
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Sudan update
During our visit to Chad, we witnessed lots of infrastructure being built to support the community, including schools, places of worship and income-generating activities. Reassuring us, that in due time, this community will become a strong, resilient and thriving one.
Every day, more people are leaving Sudan to seek safety in Chad. Sudan now has the biggest and fastest-growing displacement crisis in the world. It is also the largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded.
14.6 million people displaced and 30.4 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population, now need humanitarian support.
We’re working with a local partner Help Tchad. Together, we’re providing shelter upgrades to existing temporary emergency shelters. Along with essential aid items to allow people to get back on their feet.
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