Sudanese Americans

Sudanese Americans are Americans of North Sudanese ancestry, or North Sudanese who have American citizenship. Sudanese Americans may also include children born in United States to an American (or of other origin) parent and Sudanese parent. Many Sudanese emigrated to United States in the 1990s as war refugees, escaping of civil war in Sudan. In the 2012 American Community Survey, 48,763 people identified themselves as Sudanese or Sudanese Americans who—or whose ancestors—have emigrated from their native land to the U.S. in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

History

With the Civil War in Sudan, in 1983, many Sudanese and South Sudanese were settled in refugee camps in other neighboring African countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda). Since 1990, Sudanese refugees in these camps have been accepted in the United States. So, most of the refugees from Sudan arrived the United States after 1991,^[2] although most them hailed from South Sudan (who arrived to this country, basically, from 2001, although also were established there some Sudanese refugee communities from North Sudan).^[3] So, many North Sudanese were established in places such as Maine (settling them eventually in cities such as Portland - where they arrived in 1993, being the Darfurian people one of the early Sudanese people in settled there^[4] - and Lewiston),^[5] or Omaha, Nebraska (where already had a Sudanese community in 1997).^[6]

Demography

According to the 2000 Census, the largest Sudanese communities (whether from North or South Sudan, as the 2000 US census not divide the two groups because in that year even these two countries formed one) were New York City, Detroit, Des Moines (in Iowa ^[7]), Alexandria (Virginia) in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Los Angeles and San Diego. Sudanese and South Sudanese Americans communities also are found in others cities such as Greensboro, NC, Dallas, TX, Flint, MI, Washington Metropolitan Area and many other cities. So, the states of Virginia, Washington, Maryland, California, Idaho, Minnesota and North Carolina have the largest Sudanese populations of United States.^[5]

According to the Arab American Institute, Sudanese Americans are among the main Arab American populations in the United States.^[8]

However, and although these places may have Sudanese or South Sudanese communities, we know that, at least since 1997, many Sudanese and South Sudanese living in Omaha, Nebraska.^[9] There are 10 Sudanese and South Sudanese tribes,^[9] among which are the North Sudanese Maban people.^[10] So, according to the UNO School of Social Work, in Omaha have been established Sudanese communities from Sudan's Central provinces from the Nuba Mountains and Darfur. While, also other Sudanese immigrants were established there.^[10] Also in Maine living 17 tribes (with around 2,000 Sudanese and South Sudanese, between them, the South Sudanese Acholi tribe).^[5] It is indeed Maine, the place to be considered to have the largest group of resettled Darfurians in the United States.^[4]

Several Sudanese ethnic groups live in United States, between them the Maban and Fur people.^[4]

Political dissidents in Northern Sudan emigrated fleeing of oppressive Muslim fundamentalist regime in Khartoum. Many of them migrated to refugee camps of neighboring countries, especially Ethiopia, to escape forced conscription or lesser extent, religious persecution, directed specifically against Bahá'ís. Since this camps, many them are accepted in United States.^[3] Sudanese or South Sudanese came to America from the different parts of Sudan due also to political disagreements, educational and vocation opportunities or for family reunification.

Health Care

Most Sudanese established in the U.S., have numerous difficulties in accessing health care, although in varying degrees depending on factors such as educational level and having obtained the biomedical care in Sudan. In the linguistic and educational differences are added factors such as the discrepancy of name and date of birth, and a general lack of prior medical documentation, causing confusion in the income of the American health or arrival at hospitals.

No care or checkups in Sudan, immigrants from this country are found with medical conditions unknown to them. Many Sudanese have diabetes, hypertension, food allergies, severe cases of depression, loss of vision and hearing, parasitism and dental problems, although its feeding change in US.

In addition, they often leave their medication when symptoms resolve, not completing therapy.^[3]

Organizations

Sudanese Americans (whether from North or South Sudan) created several associations. So, because of the great difficulties faced by Sudanese in United States, such as language and skill, was founded the New Sudan-American Hope (NSAH) in 1999 by a group of Sudanese from Rochester, Minnesota, to help Sudanese refugees. So, help with various aspects of relocation. Almost a decade later and with members from diverse backgrounds, NSAH still helps refugees in Rochester and also is a source of education about the consequences of the war in Sudan.^[11]

Notable people

• Nawal M. Nour, gynecologist
• Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im, professor
• Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh, imam
• Oddisee, musician
• Manute Bol, NBA player

See also

• Sudanese Australians
• Sudanese British

References