Sudan economic crisis: Families survive on left-overs from restaurants

The left-overs of restaurants in the more luxurious district of El Amarat in Khartoum have become a welcome meal for many impoverished families in the neighbourhood.

The manager of a well-known restaurant on the Africa Road, popularly known as Airport Road, told the press in Khartoum on Tuesday that the establishment’s left-overs have become a basic meal for many families.

“Some poor people have become customers. We keep their share of el karta, as the left-overs meal is called, for them every day,” he said.

“Instead of throwing the left-over food into the rubbish, I have instructed the staff to keep it properly until the people come to get it.”

He called it “very unfortunate that many families are now forced to beg for food remains left by well-off customers”.

Sudan is suffering from a chronic lack of hard currency and cash, while exports remain low. High inflation figures caused a severe drop in purchasing power among the Sudanese since early January, after the government implemented major austerity measures.

The country also witnessed repeated fuel and wheat shortages. Several economists have warned for an economic collapse.

In a speech to the Parliament on Monday, President Omar Al Bashir said that Sudan has passed through a rise of prices and scarcity of liquidity, and will continue to do so in the future.