Sudan rescue worker tells of heartbreak after uncle’s body left undiscovered for a week

Mother-of-two trying to help hundreds who have been stuck in Khartoum with no supplies ‘watching neighbours die of thirst, hunger or a bullet’

Jia Elhassan set up an emergency response network within hours of the war breaking out in Sudan (Jia Elhassan)

A civilian trying to help hundreds trapped in Sudan has recalled the heartbreaking message she received saying her uncle had been killed and that his body was left undiscovered for nearly a week in his Khartoum home.

Jia Elhassan, who is Sudanese but cannot disclose her location for safety reasons, was told neighbours only found her uncle because the “smell of his body was so horrendous” six days after he was allegedly beaten to death.

The 36-year-old has been helping hundreds stuck in horrific conditions in Sudan, setting up an emergency response network hours after the conflict broke out last month.