Tuti Island:
Since the outbreak of civil war on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Tuti Island has been devastated by violence and occupation.
- Tuti Island, located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers in Khartoum, Sudan, is one of the city’s oldest settlements, known for its lush greenery and agriculture.
- The island spans 8 square kilometres and was traditionally dependent on farming and fishing, earning the nickname “Khartoum’s garden.”
- It holds deep cultural significance for the Mahas community, who settled there in the 15th century, making the island a symbol of indigenous identity and sustainability in the region.
- As per UN estimates, the war has displaced 13 million people, killed tens of thousands, and pushed 100,000 into famine conditions in Khartoum alone.
- Climate change has worsened Tuti Island’s vulnerability by disrupting the Nile’s natural flooding cycle, causing flooding, droughts, and desertification.
- Due to the dual threats of conflict and climate change, the HEART Project (Heritage Empowered Action for Risk in Tuti) was initiated to preserve the Taya system and document community knowledge.
