It's a dream for many Canadians, trying to save up enough money for a down payment on their very first home. That was also the dream for the Esmeralda family, a family of five with two dogs who currently live in a Scarborough apartment building.
'Utter chaos': Canadian in Sudan describes fighting, trouble leaving
A Canadian citizen stuck in Sudan says the country has descended into "utter chaos."
"Our neighbours to the north and south of us were both hit by a (rocket-propelled grenade)– thankfully nobody was injured," Safia Mustafa told ۴ý from outside Sudan's capital. "We sleep usually during the day if we can, because at night it's so scary: all you hear is bombs going off everywhere and you don't know you're going to be hit."
Mustafa, who grew up in St. Catharines, Ont., moved to Sudan two years ago to help care for her elderly parents and grandmother.
"My dad passed away two months ago, God rest his soul, and now we're in the middle of a war," Mustafa said in a video call beset with connection issues. "I don't know how I'm going to get out of here."
Hundreds have been killed and thousands injured since fighting broke out on April 15 between the Sudanese military and a rival paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would begin conducting airlifts from the east African country.
"Obviously the situation in Sudan is extraordinarily concerning," Trudeau told reporters Tuesday morning. "We’re looking at doing direct airlifts — lifts of Canadians and dependants."
A German flight evacuated 58 Canadians on Monday. Of the approximately 1,500 Canadians registered in the country, about 100 have made it out with help from Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. According to Canada's foreign minister, 550 Canadians have asked for assistance leaving. Canadian diplomats have already been evacuated from Sudan.
"For the first few days, we didn't really hear anything from the Canadian government or the embassy here in Sudan," Mustafa said. "They've evacuated their staff, and I'm really glad that they're safe, but there was nothing done for the citizens here until now."
Mustafa now faces the painful choice of staying in Sudan or fleeing without her 90-year-old grandmother.
"Basically you're being told to get yourself to a location and being evacuated from there, but unfortunately, because my grandma is not a Canadian citizen, we haven't been offered that opportunity yet " Mustafa said. "So the choice is either to leave her behind, which is not really a choice, or save ourselves."
Safia Mustafa is seen hiking in Alberta.
Even getting to a rendezvous point could prove deadly. Mustafa and her family live on a Nile River island that has only one bridge connecting it to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where fighting is rampant.
"When you're crossing bridges, there's a risk of getting hit, being targeted," Mustafa explained. Taking a boat comes with the same danger.
"There's no way my grandmother can make the overland journey, which is the other choice that is on the table right now: to go all the way to Egypt, which is taking over three days for people," Mustafa said. "I really don't have to bury my grandmother on the side of the road."
For now, the family can only hope for the best.
"We have to stay put until they offer all of us a way," Mustafa said. "It's just it's a little disheartening that I have to choose between my grandmother or life."
Supplies are running low in their house, and Mustafa guesses they have about a week's worth of food left.
"If we have to make the journey we need to do that now," she said. "We can't wait another week, right? We don't know how bad things are going to get, and I really don't want to find out."
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Heists, arson and a baseball bat brawl: the violent side of clothing donation bins
In part three of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look into allegations that the industry is rife with organized crime activity.
This radioactive gas is a leading cause of lung cancer. Here's how to check if it's in your home
Radon is a radioactive gas found in nearly every Canadian home. A new research study is putting a renewed spotlight on the invisible, odourless element that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.
Donations are quickly pouring in for the family of a young woman who was found dead inside a Walmart in Halifax last weekend.
How many Canadians are without a doctor? Just-released report outlines health-care situation
A new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information says 83 per cent of adults in this country have a regular primary-care provider, but that still leaves 5.4 million adults without one.
A haunted house in the Ontario Town of Innisfil is causing a real scare for some people a week before Halloween.
Used car market expecting supply crunch as fewer off-lease cars return
Already low on inventory, the used car market is facing an additional supply crunch as fewer off-lease vehicles return to dealership lots — and that's contributing to higher prices.
BREAKING
Four people are dead and another is in hospital following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Sri Lanka says 3 locals were arrested over a possible attack on Israel tourists
Sri Lanka police have arrested three persons in connection with a possible attack on Israeli travellers in the Indian ocean island, a government minister said on Thursday, a day after the authorities stepped up the security across the country, with the United States warning of an attack targeting a popular tourist destination.
Local Spotlight
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night – with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.
Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.
The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that – and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.