🔥 Through Fire and Fear: A Mother’s Night of Survival With Her Son

When war erupted in Sudan in April 2023, the streets of Khartoum turned from bustling avenues into battlegrounds. For Zainab Aamer, a mother of six and a caregiver in Kalakla, the chaos wasn’t just a headline—it was her reality.

That night, gunfire echoed through the neighborhood. Flames engulfed nearby buildings. Zainab grabbed her youngest son, wrapped him in a cloth sling, and led her children into the darkness. With no time to pack, no safe route, and no certainty of survival, she relied on instinct and love.

They walked for hours, dodging bullets and smoke, guided only by moonlight and hope. Her son clung to her, silent but alert. At one point, they hid in a drainage ditch to avoid crossfire. Zainab whispered prayers, shielding her children with her body.

Eventually, they reached a checkpoint where aid workers helped them cross into safety. Exhausted but alive, Zainab collapsed with her son still in her arms.

Her story, shared by the International Organization for Migration, became a symbol of maternal courage. She didn’t just escape war—she carried tomorrow on her back