Mothers without their children, children without their fathers, and separated siblings are all one sees at the Arqeen and Qustul border crossings. Since the beginning of the crisis, only Sudanese males aged 16 to 49 needed visas to enter Egypt, while women and children did not—forcing thousands of women to leave the country without their teenage sons and husbands, in hopes of reuniting with them soon. However, on 10 June, Egypt announced visa requirements for all Sudanese citizens crossing the borders, to “provide regulations rather than restrictions.” Prior to this announcement, Egyptian Streets visited the Qustul borders and spoke to Sudanese people who fled the war, to get a glimpse of the struggle they are currently facing, and learn more about the assistance they are receiving at the borders. “The situation is really tough. On our way here, we saw everything. We saw destruction, dead bodies, air strikes, everything,” a Sudanese mother tells Egyptian Streets. “We cannot let go of Sudan, we will eventually go back,” she adds. Once they reach the Qustul border, closest to Aswan governorate, many choose to stay in Aswan, while others attempt to travel to…
Between Crisis and Assistance: WFP’s Efforts on the Sudanese-Egyptian Borders
June 14, 2023
