“We went from making lunch for the children to picking them up and running for our lives,” says Bayan, 75, describing the moment conflict forced him and his family from their home in Tigray, Ethiopia. “We didn’t know the value of peace, until we didn’t have it anymore.”

Bayan and his family now live in Tunaydbah camp, one of numerous camps in eastern Sudan in which Islamic Relief provided life-saving aid in 2022. Refugees received food, water, sanitation and hygiene items and education support. Islamic Relief has also installed a solarpowered lighting system to help keep people, especially women and girls, safe at night.

Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new life in the camp, Bayan has hope that peace will be restored and spends his time supporting other refugees. “God tells us never to lose hope”, he says.

Participants in an Islamic Relief workshop in South Africa learn how to create compelling resumes and prepare for job interviews. The session formed part of our efforts to reduce discrimination, promote social cohesion, and support refugees and asylum seekers to gain employment.