Hosted by the Alliance to End Hunger, the podcast brings together perspectives from organisations working directly with people affected by conflict and displacement. Alongside Eltayeb, Matilda Okech of World Renew shares her insights from humanitarian operations in Sudan and neighbouring countries.
'People in Sudan want to rebuild their lives'
Sudan is facing what the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Yet the conflict and its impact on millions of people continue to receive limited international attention. In a recent episode of the podcast Voices to End Hunger, ZOA Sudan colleague Eltayeb Omer Hamid shares his insights into the realities behind the crisis, the challenges of delivering aid, and what is needed to support affected communities.
12 June 2026
Beyond crisis
During the conversation, Eltayeb, who serves as an Emergency Response Specialist with ZOA in Sudan, emphasizes that Sudan is more than the conflict currently dominating headlines. "People hear Sudan and think only of war or hunger," he says. "But Sudan is a diverse country with rich resources, strong communities and a long history of people living together."
Since the conflict escalated in April 2023, millions of people have been displaced and livelihoods have been disrupted across the country. According to Eltayeb, the impact extends beyond what statistics alone can show. "What is often missing are the emotions of the people," he explains. "People tell us: I can work. I can farm. I can support my family. But I cannot access my land or my livelihood."
Rebuilding lives
According to Eltayeb, that desire to provide for oneself is something he encounters again and again in his work. Many of the people ZOA supports do not want to depend on aid. They want the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Some families have been displaced multiple times. Others have returned home only to find their houses empty and their means of earning an income gone.
Through emergency assistance, livelihoods support and recovery programmes, ZOA and its partners work alongside communities as they take steps towards rebuilding their future.
A crisis the world cannot ignore
Despite the scale of the emergency, humanitarian funding remains far below what is needed. Access constraints and ongoing insecurity continue to make humanitarian operations difficult. For Eltayeb, the message is straightforward. "Humanity should be the driving force," he says. "People are suffering. People are dying. We cannot simply look away."
As Sudan enters another year of conflict, he hopes the international community will continue to stand with the people affected. "We want this war to stop. We want to rebuild our social ties and rebuild our country together."
Voices to End Hunger
Listen to the podcast
The full episode of Voices to End Hunger featuring Eltayeb Omer Hamid (ZOA Sudan) and Matilda Okech (World Renew) is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and through the Alliance to End Hunger website.