Ishak, 64, is blind and lives on his own among the other displaced people in Um Tajouk camp, Western Sudan. He speaks of his life back in the village of Karama and recalls sitting in the shade, mending shoes for locals and passers-by. He also talks about losing contact with his wife and daughter, who were out collecting firewood when Karama was attacked.

A different life in the camp

He found his way to the camp, helped by people fleeing from other places. A couple who live nearby struggle to help with him with food and other basic services. He spends his days inside his house, lying on a worn-out mat. He wears a faded, old, white garment, torn at the back – his only other piece of clothing is even shabbier. He'd like to take the clothes to a tailor for repair, but he doesn't have enough money.

At times, he'd like to explore his new surroundings, but can't as no one seems ready to help him with this. He says, "I want to move around and see if I can meet people from my village who'll give me news about where my family is." He also believes that visits to neighbouring homes will give him a chance to get away from his house, which he is "becoming too familiar with".

He says his needs are to have "another blanket and clothes, and going back to cobbling, something I’m used to, will be really great".