A single mother’s search for stability

When fighting erupted in Sudan in 2023, Badreya Abdallah faced an impossible choice: stay and risk her children's safety or leave behind everything she knew in search of protection.

In August 2023, the young Sudanese mother arrived in Egypt with her two children, aged eight and five, carrying little more than hope for a safer future.

"The war took everything away from us. Sudan is my home and leaving was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever taken " Badreya recalls. "I’m a young single mother, how can I survive a war with my children? I had to protect them, and leaving Sudan was the only way”

The journey from Sudan to Egypt came with many challenges, but Badreya had no choice. Her home was no longer safe.

Since arriving in Egypt, Badreya has settled in Faisal, a densely populated neighborhood that has become home to many refugees fleeing conflict and instability. But life remains challenging.

As a single mother responsible for raising her children alone, Badreya’s struggles are impossible as she constantly worries about covering rent and putting food on the table. In addition, one of her children has speech difficulties and requires additional support which has placed further strain on the Sudanese mother. "Every day I think about how to provide for my children," she says. "Food, rent, transportation, healthcare. There are many needs, and sometimes it feels overwhelming."

Badreya receives cash assistance from UNHCR, which helps her cover some essential expenses. "The assistance makes a real difference," she says. "Without it, things would be much harder. But there are still many needs, and I am always trying to find ways to make ends meet."

With thanks to funding from Humaniti, Badreya can access healthcare through Refuge Egypt, one of UNHCR’s health partners to check on her youngest child, one-year-old Mokhtar, who has been diagnosed with anemia. She worries about his health, but is determined to do everything she can for her children.

"When Mokhtar became sick, I was very worried," she says. "As a mother, you always want your children to be healthy and safe. Being able to bring him here for medical care gives me some peace of mind."

UNHCR Egypt continues to support vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers through its cash-based interventions (CBI) and health programmes. From January to August, UNHCR provided regular multipurpose cash assistance at least once to 98,639 refugee and asylum-seeker households to help cover essential needs such as rent, food, and healthcare. Cash assistance remains a critical source of support for vulnerable refugee families, many of whom rely on it to access basic services, including medical care.

Despite the difficulties of displacement, Badreya continues to look ahead.

"My children are my motivation," she says. "I want them to grow up healthy, go to school, and have opportunities. I hope one day we can have a stable life again."

For now, she focuses on one day at a time, drawing strength from her children and holding on to hope for the future. “I have been through many difficult moments," Badreya says softly, looking at Mokhtar. "But as long as my children are with me, I will keep going."