Sudanese Experts Discuss Health Crisis at Yale Panel

The Middle Eastern and North African Cultural Community organized a panel on public health in Sudan, featuring Sudanese scholars and experts, on March 15, 2024, at Yale University. The discussion highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and advocacy.

Panelists offered a comprehensive view of the situation in Sudan, incorporating personal stories and expert insights. Dr. Eman Salih, a postdoctoral associate at the Yale School of Public Health, urged the audience to leverage social media as a tool for advocacy. “There are many, many, many rooms in Yale. Have those conversations. Talk about it. Post about it, because social media is powerful,” she stated. Salih asserted that collective action could counter the influence of those in power.

Approximately 60 members of the Yale community attended the event, which began with an overview of the crisis. The discussion underscored that parts of Sudan have faced instability since 2003. The current conflict, which erupted in 2023, involves the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. In January 2023, the U.S. State Department accused the Rapid Support Forces of committing genocide.

The panel included remarks from Kaveh Khoshnood, the faculty director of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab. He discussed the lab’s recent findings, including images of violence in El-Fasher, North Darfur. Khoshnood emphasized the importance of accurate reporting: “A lot of media sources, a lot of policymakers pay attention to these reports that are being released because they cannot ignore it.”

Panelists also addressed the deteriorating public health situation in Sudan. The country grapples with infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, and dengue fever, alongside increasing incidents of gender-based violence.

Faihaa Dafalla, one of the speakers, shared her personal experience, describing how a hospital near her home was repurposed as a base for the Rapid Support Forces, hindering access to medical care. An audience member, an older Sudanese man, also recounted his experiences living through the conflict. “I really liked how they gave testimony from people who actually experienced it,” said Gagnado Diedhiou, a Yale student. “That makes it more authentic.”

During the event, students expressed a desire to assist those affected by the crisis. Tasneem Elias, a law student, encouraged her peers to spread awareness and provide financial support to organizations aiding those in Sudan. “If you have extra pocket money, you can donate to causes that can support the people on the ground,” she advised. Elias also suggested writing to local representatives to advocate for Sudan.

Established in 2024, the Middle Eastern and North African Cultural Community aims to promote cultural understanding and awareness on pressing issues affecting the region. The panel on public health in Sudan served as a crucial platform for discussing the humanitarian challenges and fostering a sense of solidarity among the Yale community.