Firewood a threat to communal kitchens in Omdurman

The supervisors of the communal kitchens in the capital Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman have complained about the use of firewood to cook free meals for the city’s residents.

They attributed the problem to the high price of cooking gas, but explained that reliance on firewood threatened the sustainability of the kitchens.

The founder and head of the Fakkat Riq community kitchen, Osman El-Jundi, told Radio Tamazuj that relying on firewood had caused them significant problems.

El-Jundi explained that the reason for their dependence on firewood was the steep rise in cooking gas prices, noting that the cost of a gas cylinder had soared from 6,000 Sudanese pounds to 30,000. That, he said, had forced them to cut down trees for firewood, after obtaining permission from the owners.

He stated firewood produces thick smoke, which had led some volunteers to cease work due to the health issues, highlighting that some suffered from asthma.

“Despite these conditions, we persevere because if we stop, around 280 families who rely on us for their daily food portions will suffer,” El-Jundi added.

He called on the state government to provide subsidized gas to the community kitchens, as they offered free meals to those affected by the war.

The head of the Wad Nubawi community kitchens in old Omdurman, Tarig Khalifa, described the use of firewood as difficult, noting that it was available only in limited quantities. He mentioned that it prolonged the cooking, compared to the treated charcoal.

Khalifa described the process of obtaining firewood, if available, as relatively simple, requiring minimal effort from volunteers who gathered trees from the roadsides.

He pointed out that the Wad Nubawi community kitchens consist of three units, one of which is dedicated to restoring electricity and water services. Further, he explained, that 16 families reside in the Omdurman neighborhood, in addition to at least 150 people benefiting from the community kitchens in northern Wad Nubaawi.

Khalifa noted that the community kitchens provided one portion daily, with each family receiving an amount sufficient for two meals with bread.