Radio Dabanga

We're going a bit left-field this month. I was reading about the crisis in Sudan and was shocked at some of the statistics; 12 million people have been displaced in the conflict, over 150,000 have been killed, and between January and March 2024, over 200 children, some as young as one year old, were reported to have been raped. It makes for difficult reading.

The obvious way to help is to give money to support networks like the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, or UNICEF. This always feels a little pointless though - is our £350 really going to make a difference? These organisations receive huge amounts of funding from all sorts of areas, and you can't guarantee where that money will go or how it will be spent. 

I also looked at more on the ground networks like SOBAT and Hadhreen, which I'm sure do great work for people affected by the war, but I also worry that you never quite know where this funding goes either. How do you guarantee bad actors aren't stealing their aid? Or that these funds aren't ending up in the hands of military organisations? I'm sure they're not, but it can be hard to know what happens on the ground.

I then came across Radio Dabanga, who are a totally independent, user-funded radio and media network and the most popular radio station in Sudan. They position themselves centre-left but have come under fire from both governmental and non-governmental forces for reporting atrocities happening on the ground and interviewing non-partisan civilians. When both sides are attacking you, that suggests to me like you're doing something right. 

I'll break it down a little more clearly:

🗣️ Independent Voice in a Conflict Zone

Radio Dabanga is one of the few independent news sources reporting from and about Sudan. It provides unfiltered, accurate information that counters propaganda and censorship, especially in areas affected by war and displacement.

🧭 Trusted by Sudanese People

Despite being targeted by the Sudanese government, millions of Sudanese people tune in to Radio Dabanga for reliable news, humanitarian updates, and safety information, including where to find food, water, or shelter.

📢 Platform for the Voiceless

It amplifies the voices of ordinary Sudanese citizens, activists, and survivors, documenting war crimes, human rights abuses, and local struggles that would otherwise go unseen by the world.

🧷 Under Threat but Uncompromising

Because of its fearless reporting, Radio Dabanga has been raided, censored, and deplatformed—yet it continues broadcasting from exile, making it a rare and vital lifeline for both information and accountability.

💡 Impact Beyond News

By exposing atrocities and empowering local voices, Radio Dabanga plays a critical role in advocacy, justice, and peacebuilding efforts, helping both the Sudanese people and the international community understand what's really happening on the ground.

Information is a vital resource, and rather than giving physical aid, this month we're donating our money to information.