The recent drone strikes that claimed the lives of 28 civilians in Sudan are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of unchecked warfare on everyday people.

These attacks, which hit a market in North Darfur and a truck carrying passengers in North Kordofan, serve as grim bookends to four years of civil conflict. The official story is often couched in terms of military strategy or national security needs — but that narrative falls flat when you consider the human toll.

Think of it like your household budget: every time there's an unexpected expense — a car repair, medical bill, something major for the home — it cuts into what you have left to cover food and utilities. Now imagine that happening month after month, year after year. That's what conflict does to a country.

For Sudanese families trying to rebuild their lives after years of war, these strikes are more than just tragic headlines; they're the loss of loved ones, the destruction of markets where goods can be bought and sold, the fear that disrupts daily routines. It’s impossible to understate how this impacts a community's ability to recover.

I did not want to believe this was happening again, but here we are — another generation facing the harsh realities of conflict’s aftermath. My late husband always said, “It takes more than just stopping the fighting to make peace.”

What I’m reading and seeing makes me deeply worried for my grandchildren and yours. They deserve better.

My heart aches thinking about these families in Sudan who are now mourning the loss of their loved ones. Yet, it's not too late to change course.

The international community must do more than condemn these attacks; they need to work towards a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of conflict and supports Sudanese efforts at rebuilding.