A Call from Hell: WTN Sudan Chapter Asks For Your Prayers

by: Juergen T Steinmetz |

World Tourism Network is very concerned about its 8 members in Sudan, including the Ministry of Tourism of this African country.

Tourism is a business of peace, and this is what Sudan needs now.

Today, Germany-based World Tourism Network Board member Burkhard Herbote received a late night emergency May Day call from Khatoum in Sudan from a fellow WTN member.

This report by the WTN member in Sudan triggered World Tourism Network to reach out to UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili and other tourism and human rights organizations, as well as stakeholders of the international travel and tourism community, and charities.

World Tourism Network’s open call is:

Assist Sudan if you can!

The situation in Sudan is escalating and out of control.

Tourism leaders are pioneers in Sudan. They include hard working staff of the National Tourism Board.

Some are fully paid members of the World Tourism Network and were about to start a chapter in Sudan. Members were ready to work on a plan, so visitors could safely rediscover Sudan’s first-century temples, thundering granite mountains, and undeveloped diving in the Red Sea.

The need to work together may have never been so important after what is evolving after April 15, 2023.

To protect our readers in the current environment, eTurboNews will not disclose the exact name of the caller.

Report by a WTN member in Khartoum, Sudan

“As you might know, we have a very difficult situation in Khartoum since the dawn of the 15th of April. Residents in Sudan’s capital have found themselves trapped in a war zone.

“Fighter jets have been flying low overhead, tanks are roaming our neighborhood, gun battles and bombings shake our city’s streets.

“There is a heavy conflict between the official military and the paramilitary groups in our capital, but most likely also in probable all other cities in the country.

“While we still have some infrastructure in Khartoum, the situation in other cities or areas might be worse.

“Also, in Khartoum, the situation becomes more dangerous and difficult by the hour.

“As the fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), enter its sixth day, the people are leaving Khartoum in cars for neighboring cities, as all public transportation is completely stopped.

“Currently there is only one bridge open for traffic movement out of a total of 9 bridges connecting Khartoum with other regions in the country.

“Gun battles, however, are not isolated to our capital, and are being reported from other provincial capitals and cities.

“Due to the tremendous damage in Khartoum and Khartoum International Airport, all domestic and international flights are cancelled.

“Foreigners cannot leave the hotels still operating, and rescue actions by foreign governments were made impossible.

“Electricity is very sporadic, and some areas of the city have no power at all.

“The same counts for the public water supply.

“Under such circumstances, people get sick very quick. Yesterday, some of water and electricity stations were able to came back online – but on and off.

“The markets and shops are closed; no distribution of food and bottled water is available.

“Several hundred people were shot in our streets. With a temperature of 110F or 43C, the decomposition of dead bodies starts very quickly.

“It’s impossible to collect the bodies or arrange funerals.

“In addition, thousands of people are wounded and professional help is not available. The few hospitals able to remain open have not enough power or water.

“About 75% of our medical services is cut off.

“The paramilitary RSF is using the hospitals for their own people and have thrown out sick citizens.

“It can be expected many more will die.

“While under constant fire, some of our hero doctors continue to perform surgeries under the most extreme condition imaginable.

“They are running out of medicine and supplies. There is no blood. Fuel for generators at hospitals is not available.

“They need everything, but how could it even be delivered with the deadly fighting continuing? We need safe corridors. Essential supplies do not arrive.

“Imagine you live in a large city without electricity, water, in the apartment for the electric stove, refrigerator, bath, toilet.

“Nothing works. I try to keep a little electricity to catch an Internet connection if found to broadcast my message to WTN.

“Khartoum is running out of food, water, and everything else someone needs to survive. Only a few bakeries are still operating with big challenges not having stable power for the oven, not enough flour and water – the list goes on.

“Most people remain in their houses and apartments. Some had no chance to go home and are still in their offices or place of work since the fighting started.

“It is very dangerous to go out.

“When possible, when there is a short gap in the gunfire, people are fleeing from Khartoum, even under very dangerous circumstances.

“People are fleeing, but to where? There is no more petrol, and everyone is trying to find some secure paths out.

“Please have in mind, Sudan is the third largest country in Africa. It borders 7 countries in Northeast Africa.

“Neighbors are Egypt, the Arabian Sea with Saudi Arabia close by, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya.

“Sudan hosts the longest river on the continent – the River Nile and source of water in the country.

“Khartoum is a fast growing city with more than 3 million people.

“When you add the greater surroundings (Omdurman, etc.), there are around 9 million in the greater Khartoum region.

“There are a lot of logistics involved to keep such a dense area alive. All of this stopped within minutes, 5 days ago.

“Even if electricity was available, it has to be prepaid via Internet, but the complete system broke down. Banks are closed, and ATM machines have been destroyed or are out of money. None of the usual mobile apps and electronic services work.

The clashes between the army and its opponents, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continued as both of them try to control the key sites in Khartoum and other states, especially the military sites.

“On the other side, the army declared that it had control of Khartoum and Merowe airports, Sudan TV and radio station, and other military sites in Khartoum, as well as the military camps which had been under control by the RSF.

“Merowe Airport is an airport serving the town of Merowe in Sudan.

“RSF was working beside the army since 2019, since the end of the Al Basheer government. We were hoping to enter a democratic process, but now we face this mess, and nobody knows what to do except trying to escape.

“While I am writing this message to you I hear gunfire and feel bombings.

“I am so worried about my family, friends, colleagues from [ERASED by eTurboNews], facing huge problems, and I don’t know and cannot help. I have fears on my own.

“All is really very difficult for me, but I want to give a signal out to the world.

“You cannot help, but I have a wish to send my colleagues of the international travel and tourism industry and administration out there in the world: 

“Please pray for Khartoum, pray for Sudan, pray for the Sudanese people, whatever religion you have.

“It is really dramatic, and we don’t know what to do, we are helpless.

“All we have are our families and neighbors. Sometimes we manage to contact family and friends by phone or WhatsApp, but our hearts remain dark.

“Nobody knows whether and when the conflict parties will come to a conclusion and when the gun fire will stop.”

Juergen Steinmetz, Chairman of the World Tourism Network, explains: “Sudan, we are with you. To WTN members and eTurboNews readers: If you would like to contact the writer, please post your comments, or for private messages to be related, go to wtn.travel/contact .”

For more information and membership on the World Tourism Network, go to www.wtn.travel .

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