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Emergency Response Rooms

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Emergency Response Rooms
غرف الطوارئ
AbbreviationERRs
FormationApril 2023; 1 year ago (2023-04)
TypeGrassroots Aid Network (NGO)[1]
Legal statusUnregistered
PurposeHumanitarian aid
Location
Region
 Sudan
Spokesperson
Mukhtar Atif[3]
ECO
Hajooj Kuka[4]
AffiliationsSudanese resistance committees
Sudan Doctors' Syndicate
Volunteers (2024)
4,600[5]
WebsiteKhartoum State ERRs

The Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) (Arabic: غرف الطوارئ) in Sudan is a community-led initiative[6] that emerged from the Sudanese resistance committees which spearheaded the 2019 revolution.[7][8] ERRs have played a vital role in humanitarian efforts amid the ongoing Sudanese civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which started on 15 April 2023.[5][9]

As of February 2024, ERRs have provided help for more than four millions.[7][10] These volunteers have successfully evacuated tens of thousands of people from conflict zones,[10][11] provided essential services such as clean water and medical supplies,[12] and have kept the few operational hospitals stocked with necessary fuel and supplies.[13][14] In addition to these efforts, ERRs have maintained vital water and communication infrastructure, ensuring that communities remain connected and have access to clean water.[15][16] They also run community kitchens that feed millions of people,[17] addressing the severe food shortages caused by the conflict.[18][19] EERs has also been active in responding to sexual violence cases during the civil war.[20]

In a statement by the office of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 12 April 2024, the European Union "applauds[ed] the bravery and commitment of local and international humanitarian workers, particularly local NGOs and Emergency Response Rooms".[21]

Most ERRs are not legally registered. ERRs are community funded but also receives funds from Non-governmental organization, international development agencies,[22] charities,[5] individuals,[23] and local businesses.[24] Nonetheless, in a press release in April 2024, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district Ilhan Omar stated that there is a "need to significantly ramp up direct funding for Emergency Response Rooms – not only providing essential services but demonstrating our commitment to supporting civilian rule in Sudan."[25]

Nevertheless, ERRs have faced significant challenges, including being targeted by both sides of the civil war,[26] including arrest and abduction,[27] rape,[28][29] and killing.[30][31] For example, three ERRs volunteers were killed in 2023 while trying to assist civilians in Al Fiteihab, Khartoum,[32] and two more were killed in Naivasha Market.[33]

ERRs is considered as an example of the decolonisation of aid.[34] The decolonisation of aid refers to efforts to transform the international aid system by addressing and dismantling the power imbalances and colonial legacies that have historically shaped it.[35]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Nasir, Rawh; Rhodes, Tom; Kleinfeld, Philip (2023-08-02). "How mutual aid networks are powering Sudan's humanitarian response". The New Humanitarin.
  • Abbas, Sara; Abdalhadi, Musab (2023-12-07). "Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms: Overview and Recommendations" (PDF). Shabaka.
  • Gaasbeek, Timmo (2024). From hunger to death: An estimate of excess mortality in Sudan, based on currently available information (Report). Clingendael Institute.
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Khalafallah, Hamid (2024-05-10). "Grassroots Aid Networks Are a Lifeline Amid Sudan's Humanitarian Catastrophe". DAWN. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  2. ^ Yousra, Elbagir. "Sudan could be weeks away from a 'catastrophic hunger crisis'". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  3. ^ Pietromarchi, Virginia. "Sudan slips into famine as warring sides starve civilians". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  4. ^ "The Conflict in Sudan the World Forgot". Splinter. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  5. ^ a b c "Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs)". Shabaka. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  6. ^ Harter, Fred (2024-05-07). "'A colonial mindset': why global aid agencies need to get out of the way". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  7. ^ a b "Youth-led 'emergency rooms' shine rays of hope in war-torn Sudan | UN News". news.un.org. 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  8. ^ "Mutual aid in Sudan: the future of aid?". Humanitarian Practice Network. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  9. ^ "Humanitarian Access SCORE Report: Sudan | Humanitarian Outcomes". humanitarianoutcomes.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  10. ^ a b "Emergency Response Rooms Are Redefining Humanitarian Aid as They Go - GQ Middle East". GQ Middle East. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  11. ^ Homes, Hilary (2024-03-08). "Sudan: Internet shutdown threatens delivery of humanitarian and emergency services". Amnesty International Canada. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  12. ^ "Under siege, Sudanese risk their lives to feed each other". France 24. 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  13. ^ Cogito (2024-07-26). Sudan Is Collapsing: Here's Why. Retrieved 2024-07-29 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "#Keepiton Sudan's internet shutdown threatens delivery of humanitarian and emergency services". Amnesty International. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  15. ^ Pishon (2023-12-19). "Local responders' experiences of delivering aid in Sudan - CSF". CSFSudan. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  16. ^ "Empowering Communities, Piloting Multi-purpose Cash Distribution in Khartoum". The CALP Network. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  17. ^ Nasir, Rawh (2024-06-25). "Sudan: 'We Survive Together' - the Communal Kitchens Fighting Famine in Khartoum". The New Humanitarian. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  18. ^ "Sudanese groups provide light amid year of darkness - Sudan | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  19. ^ "The Sudan Crisis and Implications for Neighbouring Countries". National Centre for Social Research. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  20. ^ AFP (2024-07-29). "Sexual violence rife in war-torn Sudan capital: Human Rights Watch". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  21. ^ Stano, Peter (2024-04-12). "Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union one year into the conflict". European Council.
  22. ^ "Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman at the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan | April 15, 2024". U.S. Agency for International Development. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  23. ^ "How to Help the People of Sudan?". 500 Words Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  24. ^ ServiceSpace.org. "Mutual Aid Networks Are Powering Sudan's Humanitarian Response". KarunaNews: Responding with Compassion. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  25. ^ Omar, Office of Rep Ilhan (2024-04-16). "Sudan: Rep. Omar Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the Sudanese Civil War". United States House Of Representatives. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  26. ^ umajulius (2024-02-27). "Sudan: UN relief coordinator warns over attacks on volunteers". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  27. ^ Gouja, Ahmed (2024-05-30). "Sudan: How El Fasher Went From Darfur's Safe Haven to All-Out War". The New Humanitarian. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  28. ^ Carrera, Bianca. "Sudan aid workers risk 'kidnap and rape', experts warn". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  29. ^ Osman, Mohamed (2024-07-28). ""Khartoum is not Safe for Women!"". Human Rights Watch.
  30. ^ Nashed, Mat. "Are Sudan's civil society activists being targeted by both warring sides?". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2024-05-04. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  31. ^ "Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine | OCHA". www.unocha.org. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  32. ^ "Millions go hungry as war and waves of ethnic killing disrupt food supply in Sudan". NBC News. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  33. ^ "Sudan: North Darfur Civilians Flee 'Catastrophic Escalation' in Conflict". Dabanga. 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  34. ^ Harter, Fred (2024-05-07). "'A colonial mindset': why global aid agencies need to get out of the way". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  35. ^ Aly, Heba (2022-08-12). "Ten efforts to decolonise aid". The New Humanitarian.
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