Abuk saw her daughter-in-law get killed while fleeing to South Sudan

Abuk Mawien Deng, a woman in her sixties, now lives in her birthplace Kanajak, South Sudan, with her four grandchildren. She recently returned from Sudan, fleeing violence and hunger.

6 June 2025

Hunger and loss

Fifteen years ago, Abuk left South Sudan with her husband and their son because of the hunger caused by ongoing conflict. They migrated to Sudan in search of better opportunities and settled on a farm. There, they grew sorghum and peanuts, sharing the harvest with the landowner. The crops provided food for their family and a modest income. For Abuk, the house they built in Sudan felt like home.

But over the past five years, tragedy struck. Her husband became ill and passed away. Just two years later, her son also died from illness. Abuk was left to care for her daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.

'We ran for our lives'

In April 2023, war broke out in Sudan. Suddenly, safety became a daily concern. One day, their village was set on fire. While fleeing the flames, Abuk’s daughter-in-law was shot and killed. Abuk and her grandchildren escaped and managed to board a truck that brought them back to South Sudan.

The colourful dress and matching scarf she wears today are the same ones she wore that day. "These are the only clothes I brought with me. There was no time for anything else."

Surviving on leaves

Without any support network, she returned to her native village with her grandchildren. Having nowhere to go, they lived under a tree for days. From the day they arrived, food was their greatest challenge. "We survived by eating tree leaves," Abuk recalls.

But that all changed, when she was selected to receive emergency aid through a relief programme. Today, Abuk beams with pride. She shows off her arms and face to illustrate how much healthier she is now. She feels stronger, and so do her grandchildren. They are very grateful for the food they received.

A renewed sense of dignity

Today, Abuk is determined to rebuild her life. Now that their immediate food needs are covered, she plans to start collecting and selling firewood again to earn an income. She hopes to be able to save some money, so she can prepare for the future. More than anything, Abuk is grateful. “ZOA made me feel part of a community again, like I belong.”