[image copyright: Refugee Biriyani & Bananas]

by E. Mark Windle

This month we have a round-up of developing conflict and political situations affecting the displaced communities that Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB) support, plus an update on some of our activities on the ground in Cairo, Gaza and the Greek island of Chios.

Sudan Crisis

In Sudan, El-Obeid, capital of North Kordofan has now been besieged by the Rapid Support Forces militia group in the fight with Sudanese government forces. Around 500,000 people are trapped in the city which is being subjected to drone strikes and a major ground offensive. The United Nations has expressed concerns that the attack echoes that of the dangerous situation in El-Fasher, where mass scale sexual and gender-based violence toward civilians has occurred.

Sudan remains the world’s largest global displacement crisis. As of April 2026, an estimated 14 million Sudanese people have been forced from their homes. Some have made the journey to neighbouring countries, including Egypt. According to the latest United Nations refugee agency data [UNHCR; June 2026), Egypt hosts 1.1 million registered refugees and asylum seekers, with most living in Cairo. The total number of Sudanese who have fled to Egypt is likely to be much higher when considering a previous government estimate of around 1.5 million, as a large proportion of the community remains unregistered.

Cairo RBB distribution
[image copyright: Refugee Biriyani & Bananas]

RBB actively supports the Sudanese community in Cairo through large scale food distributions, food projects and community building. Recently, we reported back on our support of an emergency shelter project for displaced people in the 6th of October district. The aim has been to provide a place of safety for the most vulnerable including pregnant women and unaccompanied children from Sudanese, South Sudanese and other communities. With our community led partners, we were able to mobilise and support the emergency shelter project for six months. RBB supplied mattresses, basic furniture, and staple foods and other items for a connected community kitchen project.

As well as providing a safe space, additional benefits have been increased accessibility to medical and psychosocial care, education, and longer-term housing. We are currently looking at ways to extend the shelter project.

Gaza

In October 2025, a ceasefire and a controversial 20-point plan was announced to end the conflict in Gaza. Despite the roll-out of the first phase (the exchange of hostages, some prisoners and detainees) the truce has been repeatedly violated and attacks by the Israeli forces in residential areas and schools continue. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, in the last nine months at least 1,053 civilians, aid workers, journalists and healthcare staff have been killed and 3,406 injured.

In early June, we were devastated to hear that one of our volunteers was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Our RBB family is built on volunteers, many of whom face the same violence, displacement and uncertain future as the people they support. Yet they continue to show up every day and RBB remains committed to supporting those displaced by war as they continue to fight for their right to life, dignity and freedom of movement.

Overcrowding, malnutrition and sanitation and hygiene gaps are contributing to disease outbreaks across Gaza. In one recent two-week period, around 9,300 cases of chickenpox were recorded in Khan Younis and surrounding areas. Medical supplies, food and other humanitarian aid is entering Gaza but is limited due to frequent border closures. At present only one border, Kerem Shalom, is open and there are very heavy restrictions on aid transfer.

North Gaza food distribution, July 2026
[image copyright: Refugee Biriyani & Bananas]

Access to potable water has also become increasingly scarce. On a positive note, RBB continues to support emergency water distributions in central and southern Gaza through our team members in the field. In a 12-month period between 2025 and 2026, we were able to support 32,585 people through the distribution of clean water.

In the north of Gaza, our field team led by Omneya are in the process of carrying out a major aid distribution in three camps, with the aim of reaching 1000 families living in tents and makeshift shelters.

Greece

As the summer heatwave continues across the whole of Europe, the Greek island of Chios has been experiencing a prolonged period of temperatures reaching the mid-30s. Dry conditions combined with strong winds have escalated the island’s wildfire risk to very high levels.

“Conditions in the tents, living containers and temporary shelters have become unbearably hot. Access to safe drinking water, nutritious food and summer clothing is very limited. The risk of dehydration, infection, infestation and insect bites is increasing.”

Isabelle*
RBB team member, Chios

RBB have been supporting displaced people to cope with the intense heat. We have provided cooling fans, cold drinks and summer clothing. Because of the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and the need to wash clothes more frequently in the hot climate, washing powder was distributed in addition to our regular essential food items. Families with small children have also been supplied with storage boxes to protect clothes, food and personal belongings from snake, insect and rat infestations.

July’s distribution of food and hygiene items on Chios
[Image: Refugee Biriyani & Bananas]

In other news, the Greek parliament has passed new legislation intended to hasten the deportation of failed asylum seekers to future “return hubs” that are planned for construction in countries outside of the European Union. Meanwhile men, women and children continue to arrive by dangerous sea routes. Many who seek asylum feel that their applications have been unfairly assessed. Recently, the situation became so desperate that forty-nine members of the Senegalese community in Vial Camp on Chios went on hunger strike in protest of their asylum application rejections. Some had to be taken to hospital; others were temporarily detained. Thankfully in this particular situation, there has now been a positive outcome for most individuals with some rejections reversed or transfer on to better conditions. RBB is strongly committed to supporting those seeking asylum by calling for fair and equal assessment processes.

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