Thousands of books are being sent to Sudan from Book Aid International’s Swindon warehouse, helping students and researchers whose education has been severely disrupted by the country’s ongoing war.
The charity is sending 18,000 brand-new books to organisations including the University of Khartoum, the Sudan Academic Libraries Initiative and Windle Trust International.
Most of the books will support higher education, with university and medical texts providing much-needed resources for students and researchers attempting to continue their studies despite the destruction of much of Sudan’s education infrastructure.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has had a devastating impact on education across the country.
Of the 12.5 million learners enrolled before the war, around nine million are now out of school, while 80 per cent of higher education institutions are no longer operational.
A total of 124 universities and colleges have been destroyed or looted, alongside 241 libraries.
The University of Khartoum and the Sudan Academic Libraries Initiative will receive higher education and medical books, while the University of Khartoum Library plans to share some of its allocation with five other partner universities across Sudan.
Dr Mutasim Elmahadi, of the University of Khartoum Library, said the books would strengthen its collections and support students and researchers.
The Sudan Academic Libraries Initiative also said the donation would help maintain access to knowledge and educational opportunities during the continuing crisis.
Windle Trust International will receive books for its work across Sudan, including projects supporting younger readers.
Arkano Ismail Shanna, the organisation’s Country Programme Manager, said books could provide more than education during times of conflict.
“At a time when access to education has been so severely disrupted, books offer not only knowledge but also hope, opportunity and a pathway to a brighter future,” he said.
Book Aid International, which is based in the UK and has its warehouse operation in Swindon, has supported readers in other communities affected by conflict and crisis.
In Ukraine, the charity has provided more than 86,000 books to libraries damaged during the war, while it has also worked with partners in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions to provide children’s books since 2016.
Alison Tweed, Chief Executive of Book Aid International, said the charity wanted to ensure people affected by conflict were not cut off from access to information and education.
The books being sent to Sudan have all been donated by UK publishers, and the charity is now appealing to publishers to help it continue its work.
Book Aid International says donated books can help students, medical professionals and other readers gain access to the resources they need in Sudan and other parts of the world.
More information about donating books can be found at Book Aid International.
