Port Sudan, Sudan - Recent As 2024 draws to a close, the people of war-torn Sudan say they are longing for peace and reunion of their families in the coming year. Numerous Sudanese families have been devastated in violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces that erupted in the capital Khartoum on April 15, 2023 and spread to other regions. As Year 2025 comes, countless families say they still endure the anguish of not knowing the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones. One such family is that of Ahmed, who has been desperately searching for his son, who went missing in September 2023 while trying to buy medicine in the city of Wad Madani during their flee from Khartoum to the eastern Sudanese city of Port Sudan. Despite three days of search, no trace of his son was found. Ahmed fears that his son may have been arrested or forcibly conscripted. The family continued their journey to Port Sudan. One year on, the family still has no news about him and have to live in uncertainty, hoping for his return. Ahmed does not even have a photo of his son as an adult, only one from his childhood, because of their hasty escape from Khartoum. Though they managed to flee the war zone, life in Port Sudan is still challenging. Ahmed currently makes a meager living by driving a three-wheeled taxi, often struggling to make ends meet. His wife had to return to her parents' home due to dire circumstances. As the new year comes, Ahmed, now living alone, has tidied up his room, hoping that the family can reunite in the coming year. Similarly, Muhammad Hassan's family has been torn apart by the conflict. Hassan's brother, Osman Hassan, disappeared in the fierce battles in Omdurman. Since then, they have received no news of his whereabouts. Despite numerous attempts to find him through relatives, social media, and aid organizations, they have received no reliable information about his fate. In past years, the Hassan family would celebrate New Year's Day by attending concerts in the city center of Omdurman. However, the war has reduced the city to rubble, and the displaced Hassan family now struggles to survive in Port Sudan. Grappling with the harsh realities of their new life, they have neither the heart nor the means to celebrate. Shotlist: Port Sudan, Sudan - Recent: 1. Various of Ahmed, displaced Sudanese, washing cups; 2. Various of Ahmed checking on his three-wheeled taxi, driving; 3. Various of traffic; 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed, displace Sudanese (partially overlaid with shot 5): "The disappearance of my son brings me immerse pain. I hope to see him again soon. I dream of him coming home a lot, but I cannot find him after I wake up. I pray for a quick reunion with him."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Photo of Ahmed's son; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Various of Ahmed watching photo of his son; 7. Various of Ahmed tidying up room; 8. Ahmed watching photo of his son; 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed, displaced Sudanese (starting with shot 8): "My only wish is for my son to return to me, get married and start a family, and have his own house. The whole family reunites. This is my only wish now."; 10. Various of Muhammad Hassan's family; 11. Various of Hassan watching his brother's photo on phone; 12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhammad Hassan, displaced Sudanese: "All his family -- his children, wife, parents, and siblings -- [wish] to know his whereabouts, as it will give us some sort of comfort."; 13. Various of staff from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) talking to Hassan's family; 14. ICRC badge; 15. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhammad Hassan, displaced Sudanese: "As for how we feel, here in my arms is Osman's son. He has been waiting for his father to return. He was seven years old when Osman disappeared. He's still a child and doesn't really understand it now, but a sudden loss of father is an extremely painful experience for such a young child."; 16. Hassan's brother, brother's son in photo; 17. Brother's son; 18. Hassan's family; 19. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhammad Hassan, displaced Sudanese: "We hope that in the new year, the missing people can return to their homes, and our country will restore safety and return to the way it was before the war. There will be no more war. I want to tell both sides of the conflict that please prioritize the interests of the Sudanese people."; 20. Various of tent, displaced Sudanese. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya TV/Middle East Broadcasting Center]