Family from Sudan raises awareness of war’s impact while settling in Iceland

A family that fled Sudan, where a devastating civil war is raging, aims to raise awareness about the suffering of their fellow citizens. While they have settled well in Iceland, the mother, Omnia Osman, is eager to learn Icelandic but is unable to attend classes with her child due to restrictions.

Omer Ali, who escaped from Sudan with his family, reflected on how life was once relatively normal in their home country until 2018, when the situation began to deteriorate. “The economic conditions became difficult with rampant inflation,” he stated, pointing out that the price of bread tripled in a short period, leading to large protests met with harsh military responses. The situation escalated dramatically in June 2019, when over 100 people were killed during protests in the capital, Khartoum. It was during this turmoil that Omer and Omnia fled with their infant daughter, Yum.

After trying to seek asylum in Turkey and Greece, they finally arrived in Iceland after eleven months of repeated attempts. Since their departure, conditions in Sudan have worsened significantly. A civil war erupted last year, leading to thousands of deaths, and Omer and Omnia have been unable to contact their relatives back home, citing extensive internet blackouts. “I haven’t been able to reach my father for eight months,” Omer noted.

Now living in Iceland for over three years, they have adapted to the weather and culture, although Omnia struggles to learn the language because her son, now fifteen months old, has not secured a spot in daycare. The family remains focused on their new life while highlighting the urgent need for international attention towards the plight of those left in Sudan.