Karima, 34, a mother of three from Sennar State, Sudan, had a stable family life in Khartoum. The outbreak of conflict in 2024 forced Karima, her husband, and their children to flee their home, undertaking a dangerous journey through the desert in overcrowded cargo trucks, facing hunger, extreme heat, and safety risks.
With no end in sight, Sudan’s violent civil war has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than half the population – 25.6 million people – on the brink of famine, mass destruction and alarming insecurity. After a year of struggling with continuous dangers and fear, Karima and her family made the difficult decision to leave Sudan and seek refuge in Libya. They settled in Ajdabiya, in Eastern Libya, where Karima’s husband found employment and the family accessed basic shelter. However, the psychological effects of the conflict persisted. Karima and her children remained homebound, experiencing anxiety, fear, and trauma. Karima, in particular, experienced acute emotional distress, including sleeplessness and a growing sense of isolation.
One day, Karima was introduced to the INTERSOS Community Centre in Ajdabiya, where INTERSOS social workers provide psychosocial support services and run life skills activities for women and girls affected by crisis. Despite initial hesitation, Karima started attending group psychosocial support sessions and life skills workshops. Through these structured interventions, she acquired techniques for managing stress, developed coping strategies, and established supportive relationships with other women facing similar experiences.
“The safe space for women and girls provided at the INTERSOS center in Ajdabiya changed my life. The sounds of war in my mind have been replaced by more peaceful sensations. I am now better able to enjoy time with my family and care for them as I did before.”- Karima
Karima’s daughters also participated in psychosocial support activities at the Centre, benefiting from a safe and nurturing environment where they could play, learn, and begin their emotional recovery.
Engagement in creative activities, such as henna drawing, provided Karima with additional opportunities to express herself and build social connections. Over time, Karima reported significant improvements in her emotional well-being, including reduced anxiety and strengthened family relationships. Her husband also observed positive changes, noting that Karima was regaining her lost sense of self.
Community Centres play a vital role in supporting the recovery and resilience of conflict-affected populations. By providing psychosocial support, life skills training, and a safe environment for healing, such initiatives enable women and girls to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.