Residents of Adila in East Darfur are raising concerns over steep price hikes and critical shortages of food and petroleum products.
According to locals who spoke to Radio Tamazuj, the soaring prices of food items and the scarcity of fuel are attributed to the ongoing impact of war and the disruption of major transport routes.
Mohammed Daw Iskola, spokesperson for the Adila Emergency Response Committee, highlighted the severity of the situation: “Adila is facing significant shortages of petroleum and fuel, affecting water availability and driving up prices of essential goods brought in from distant areas.”
Iskola explained that food supplies typically come from Al-Dabba in Northern Sudan and Rabak in White Nile State. However, these supply routes have been severely hindered by the conflict, making imports nearly impossible.
Iskola further noted, “Many water wells are currently inactive due to fuel shortages and other logistical challenges.” He emphasized that Adila, situated in the easternmost part of Darfur, faces considerable obstacles in receiving relief aid and allowing humanitarian efforts to operate effectively.
Mohammed Suleiman, a resident of Adila, highlighted the dire situation with food prices soaring: millet costs 150,000 Sudanese pounds per sack, sorghum 130,000 pounds, and sugar 120,000 pounds. Urgently, Suleiman appealed to humanitarian organizations to intervene promptly in the region.
Trader Suleiman Fidiel echoed these concerns, attributing the price hikes to severe disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict. He pointed out that agricultural pests have further crippled local farming efforts, particularly affecting millet production, which is crucial for the community’s sustenance.
Fadiel also noted, “The fuel shortage has severely hampered transportation of goods from both northern and southern regions.” He expressed optimism that an end to the war would pave the way for prosperity and stability in the region.