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Sudan is home to variety of medicinal plants such as Sunut tree fruit known as Grarad in Sudanese. Nearly every Sudanese household possesses Grarad, which is deeply embedded in the country’s rich tradition of herbal medicine. It is commonly believed that combining Garad with black cumin, known as alhaba alswda, and burning it as a bakhur purifies the home with evil spirits, often accompanied by reciting verses from Quran. Other applications for Grarad include making a mouthwash using its extract to soothe sore gums and throats after soaking in water. It also serves as a natural cough remedy and immune system booster.

How Sudanese are Fighting COVID-19 with Traditional Medicine (Garad). (2022). 500 Words Magazine. https://500wordsmag.com/science-and-technology/health/how-sudanese-are-fighting-covid-19-with-traditional-medicine-garad/

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Most refugees have endured extreme violations of human rights. Social inclusion and non-discrimination are crucial social determinants of health as it influences their physical and mental-well-being by ensuring access to healthcare, education, and employment without facing prejudice (Milner & Khawaja, 2010). Inclusive practices help refugees feel accepted and supported, reducing the stress and anxiety associated with acculturation (Milner & Khawaja). Employment is key to health, yet Sudanese often face job barriers due to discrimination, leading to stress and loss of dignity (Losoncz, 2015). Weak social networks within the Sudanese community in Australia limit access to healthcare and jobs (Losoncz, 2015). Policies should enhance inclusion, create employment pathways, ensure healthcare access, and foster community engagement to reduce isolation.

Losoncz, I. (2015). Goals without Means: A Mertonian Critique of Australia’s Resettlement Policy for South Sudanese Refugees. Journal of Refugee Studies. 30. Doi.10.1093/jrs/fev017

Milner, K., & Khawaja, N. G. (2010). Sudanese Refugees in Australia: The Impact of Acculturation Stress. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4(1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1375/prp.4.1.19

Olliff, L. (2023). Refugee Response Index Australia Review: Refugees become self-reliant (Pillar 4) - Refugee Council of. Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rri-refugees-become-self-reliant/

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For me the most relevant aspect of competency standard is 1(1.1) which emphasises on responding sensitively to their cultural, religious, or spiritual and health beliefs. I remember caring for a refugee patient whose strong spiritual beliefs shaped their approach to health and healing. I have developed an understanding of their perspective and included them in discussions to align their beliefs with their medical care. Having experienced my approach to be more inclusive and culturally sensitive, I now, feel more confident to build a stronger rapport with the patient, ensuring they felt understood and respected. This skill is important in my workplace to provide a holistic care.

Munnings, K., Laidler, L., Ramsay Health Care Australia, O’Donovan, K., Patetsos, M., Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, Phillips, C., Philp, A., Australian Government Department of Health, Schreiber, J., Sdrinis, S., Ward, K., Wright, M., Australian College of Nursing, Abbasova, G., & Sarafian, C. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. In L. Martinez & O. Dandash (Eds.), COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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Trauma is associated with high rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and social support can support individuals as a buffer against psychological distress among Sudanese refugees in Australia (Doma et al., 2022). Prolonged conflicts on Sudanese refugees have taken a toll on their mental health and continue to threaten their psychological well-being, with a high prevalence of anxiety (25.2%), depression (24.2%) and PTSD (34.0%), this provides some of the urgency about the mental health interventions needed to address the problem (Tutlam et al., 2022).

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) was successfully used to treat PTSD among Sudanese refugees. According to Psychology Today, TF-CBT consists of psychoeducation, coping skills training, trauma processing, and cognitive restructuring and has shown to reduce PTSD symptoms (Psychology Today Staff, 2022).

Doma, H., Tran, T., Rioseco, P., & Fisher, J. (2022). Understanding the relationship between social support and mental health of humanitarian migrants resettled in Australia. BMC Public Health.  https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-14082-z

Tutlam, N. T., et al. (2022). War-Affected South Sudanese in Settings of Preflight, Flight, and Resettlement. Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40609-022-00227-w

Psychology Today Staff. (2022). Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavior-therapy

Horn, A. (2023, August 12). Chad is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as thousands of Sudanese refugees fight for survival in makeshift cities. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-13/inside-the-lives-of-women-fleeing-sudan-s-civil-war/102702518

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Nubian civilization is one of Sudan’s oldest settlers. They thrived across the Nile River thousands of years ago, and built remarkable pyramids, temples, and palaces. Today, Sudan boasts over 200 pyramids, more than twice the number found in Egypt (Women for Women International, 2024). Meroe is the site of over forty kings and queens buried in ancient times( Intro Africa | Travel, n.d.).

5 Things to Know About Sudan | Women for Women International. (2024). Www.womenforwomen.org. https://www.womenforwomen.org/blogs/5-things-know-about-sudan

The Nubian pyramids of Sudan | Intro Africa | travel. (n.d.). Intro Africa. https://intro.africa/story/the-nubian-pyramids-of-sudan/

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Men in Sudan wear a traditional dress called the galabia, common among all Sudanese people. Another variant for men's clothing is a large-sleeved jalabiya and a caftan with side openings for ease of riding. The light-coloured "عراقي," worn directly on the body, is named for its sweat-absorbing properties. Baggara men also wear a white turban, with one end hanging over the shoulder or chest. They often wear a local shoe called "المركُوب," made from various leathers, and carry decorative walking sticks. They also carry a wide-bladed knife called "سكين الضُراع," made of bamboo, used for hunting or decoration, and wear an amulet wrapped in animal skin for protection during battle or against harm.

Galaledin, A. (2023, April 8). Women’s and men’s clothing in Sudan. AKEM. https://www.akem.org.tr/post/women-s-and-men-s-clothing-in-sudan

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Sudan’s longest civil war lasted from 1983-2005, was a brutal conflict between the northern government, dominated by Arab Muslims, and the southern rebels, largely non-Arab Christians, and animists. The war was fuelled by ethic, religious, and economic tensions, particularly over oil-rich regions. The conflict led to over two million deaths and disabled millions more. The war ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, granting the south autonomy and leading to South Sudan’s independence in 2011. However, the war left deep scars, contributing to ongoing instability and humanitarian crises in both nations.

Timeline: South Sudan’s history at a glance. (n.d.). Concernusa.org. https://concernusa.org/news/timeline-south-sudan-history/#:~:text=1983%2D2005%3A%20The%20Second%20Sudanese%20Civil%20War&text=At%2022%20years%2C%20it%20was

to, C. (2024). Third Sudanese Civil War (Solace’s unnamed timeline). Alternative History; Fandom, Inc. https://althistory.fandom.com/wiki/Third_Sudanese_Civil_War_(Solace%27s_unnamed_timeline)