Technology on the frontlines: Sarah’s inspiring story of impact in Sudan

A record number of people in Sudan, approximately one-third of the population, were already facing hunger before the armed conflict erupted in April. Millions of lives were thrown into chaos, while the safety and security of humanitarian workers in-country was threatened.??

While WFP has reached over one million people in Sudan with life-saving assistance, ongoing violence could plunge millions more people into hunger.??

Technology is critical to all WFP emergency responses. Information and technology enable humanitarians to stay connected and up to date on the latest safety information while coordinating emergency support for people fleeing conflict. ?

Driving much of this work is Sarah Abdjuljalil, who ensures that WFP's technology systems work – no matter what. As part of our #WomenInTech feature series, we share Sarah’s journey to WFP, her experience operating technology in an emergency context, and her advice for other women looking to begin careers in humanitarian technology.?

Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from, and what do you do for WFP? ?

I'm Sarah Abduljalil, and I come from Sudan. I happily work for WFP as a Senior Infrastructure and Networking Associate in Khartoum, Sudan. ?

Part of what drew me here is my interest in different cultures and people. Once I graduated, I knew I wanted to work for the UN, but after learning more about WFP, I became enthralled with its mission. I was amazed by the scale of its operations and the vastness of its supply chain. I applied for various jobs since 2009 and formally joined in 2022. I am grateful to be here to support WFP's mission.?

What does your work entail, and how does it support WFP's response? ?

My main task is keeping the technical infrastructure at the WFP Sudan country office up and running, including the WiFi and local area networks, and operating a backup solution in case of an emergency. These systems are critical for providing connectivity for humanitarian staff, enabling them to coordinate the response and assist those facing this ongoing crisis. Without these, WFP would not be able to support those in need.?

Can you describe your experience supporting WFP's response to this emergency? How has it been for you, personally and professionally? ?

On a call with colleagues, I often heard gunshots in the background. I had to be particularly sensitive to their mental states, check their well-being, and provide as much support as possible.?

Professionally, the outbreak of conflict in Sudan has made our work challenging. I was fortunate to be out of the country when the war broke, but I liaise closely with teams still residing there. At the start of the conflict, the network was weak, making it difficult for humanitarians to stay connected. We had to find creative workarounds to continue our mission in an increasingly chaotic context. ?

In addition, the interpersonal side of this work has been challenging, especially as I liaise closely with teams who were caught in conflict or are fleeing it. On a call with colleagues, I often heard gunshots in the background. I had to be particularly sensitive to their mental states, check their well-being, and provide as much support as possible.?

This conflict has affected me quite personally. I am from Sudan, but I was lucky to have been on vacation with my immediate family outside the country when the war broke out. That said, my fiance was caught in the conflict, and I couldn't reach him for a week. My family kept calling relatives to ensure their well-being while looking for ways to support them while banking systems were shut down. I also grieve the death of a WFP colleague in Kabkabya, who was married to my cousin.?

What is one experience you have that illustrates just how vital technology is in this emergency? ?

When the war broke out, I was outside Sudan on vacation with my family, and suddenly we were inundated with posts on social media about what was happening. I couldn't trust the information wasn't biased. But then, I began receiving emails from colleagues explaining the situation on the ground, the impact on staff safety, and security updates, and things became much clearer. Without technology-enabled connectivity, sharing this information would not have been possible. It highlights the importance of technology in keeping people informed and using that information to determine our response.?

Life is too precious to limit yourself to other people's expectations of the role of women. ?

As a woman working in technology, what have been some of the most important lessons you've learned in your career to date?

There are three main lessons I have learned to date. The first: don't settle or confine yourself to other people's image of the role of women in technology.?

Based on my experience, women are often expected to stay at their desks and stick with technology's software development side. When I started my career, I faced criticism about my desire to work in the field because of the perception that women are too sensitive and unable to handle difficult work. However, I insisted on going to the field and, at my previous company, became the first female to head telecommunications and networking. If I had given up, my life would be very different. Life is too precious to limit yourself to other people's expectations of the role of women. ?

Secondly, women need to put in an effort in developing their professional skills, not to compete with male colleagues but to become better and more skilled in their desired roles. ?

Third, invest time in building a relationship with a mentor - someone who can provide you with professional and personal advice, who can recognize and value your energy and passion and make you believe you can achieve your potential. ?

Overall, for young women looking to start their careers in humanitarian technology, I advise them to be patient, humble and give a helping hand to others. This will advance your career and provide you with a purpose. ?

From your perspective, how can WFP better support women working in the field? ?

WFP is already doing a great job in integrating more women in technology. However, we can enhance this by advocating for their participation in operational missions, seeking out and allowing their voices to be heard, and continuing to challenge and dismantle preconceptions about women being unable to handle challenging humanitarian work.