In Sudan, a network of volunteers known as Emergency Response Rooms (ERR) is tirelessly working to support a population devastated by over two years of conflict, risking their lives amid a precarious security situation. Their crucial efforts have positioned them as strong candidates for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
ERR’s volunteers engage in a range of activities, including distributing food, rebuilding homes, and organizing evacuations, as they attempt to provide relief to a population facing starvation and displacement. “We are part of the population; we come from wherever we operate,” said Dia al-Deen al-Malek, a volunteer coordinator in the capital, Khartoum. The volunteer group encompasses individuals from diverse backgrounds, including doctors, engineers, students, and accountants, and has mobilized thousands, predominantly young people, across all regions of Sudan.
Operating beyond formal administrative structures, the ERR plays a pivotal role as a bridge between local needs and international aid agencies, often taking over responsibilities that these organizations cannot fulfill on the ground. “They are determined and brave,” noted Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan. She emphasized that the ERR has become “the beating heart” of the humanitarian response in the country, according to Shashwat Saraf, country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council.
As the conflict escalated in April 2023 due to a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of the Rapid Support Forces, the ERR was thrust into action as the government’s capacity to respond diminished. The roots of this grassroots network trace back to Sudan’s resistance committees, which gained prominence during protests against former president Omar al-Bashir and played an essential role in the 2018-2019 revolution.
In addition to responding to immediate crises, ERR volunteers operate hospitals, repair water and electricity systems, run canteens, care for the injured, and support victims of violence. They also document human rights abuses in a country rife with propaganda, providing critical information about the situation on the ground.
Despite their bravery, working conditions are fraught with danger. Volunteers face the constant threat of arrest, as they are often viewed with suspicion by both the government and armed groups. “The biggest risk in our work is being arrested, because emergency rooms are seen as an extension of the revolution,” Malek warned. Incidents of violence against volunteers have been reported, including arrests and assaults, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
One of the volunteers, Nader Mahmoud, was arrested in early October, and efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Other volunteers have faced similar fates, further highlighting the threats they encounter in their mission. In contrast, individuals they help, like Emgahed Moussa, express profound gratitude for their essential support, stating, “It’s thanks to them that we eat.”
As the conflict continues to displace millions, the work of the ERR remains vital. More than four million people have received assistance through their efforts, and in regions like Al-Jazirah, the ERR has also mobilized safe spaces for women and children while providing psychological and medical support to victims of violence.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan grows increasingly dire, yet the resilience and dedication of the Emergency Response Rooms exemplify a vital lifeline. Recognized with the Rafto Prize for human rights in September, their contributions to the community are not only saving lives but also fostering hope in a time of despair.
