In a harrowing situation, displaced individuals in Sudan are resorting to consuming leaves and charcoal as they struggle for survival following an attack on the Zamzam camp, located near el-Fasher. This alarming revelation comes from an aid organization that has been closely monitoring the crisis.
Desperate escape from violence
According to Noah Taylor, the head of operations for the Norwegian Refugee Council, the stories emerging from this region are distressing. During an interview on the BBC’s Newsday program, he remarked, “The stories we’ve been hearing are truly horrific.” Many refugees are fleeing el-Fasher, seeking refuge in Tawila, yet many are succumbing to the dire conditions they face upon arrival.
The perilous journey spans approximately 40 kilometers (about 25 miles), with travelers enduring blistering temperatures and severe dehydration. Taylor noted, “We’ve heard stories there are still bodies on the road between el-Fasher and Tawila.” He recounted a particularly tragic incident involving a young girl who, after walking alone from el-Fasher, was subjected to multiple assaults and ultimately died from her injuries upon reaching Tawila.
Ongoing humanitarian catastrophe
El-Fasher remains the last city in Sudan’s western Darfur region under military control. Earlier this month, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an attack on the Zamzam camp, resulting in the displacement of tens of thousands of residents who had sought refuge there for nearly two decades, following previous conflicts in the region.
The RSF’s ongoing conflict with the army has led to widespread devastation over the past two years, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing approximately 13 million people. Humanitarian organizations have categorized this as the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis.
Following the attack on the Zamzam camp, North Darfur Health Minister Ibrahim Khater informed that the camp was “completely destroyed.” Taylor emphasized the overwhelming challenges faced by Tawila as it grapples with a sudden influx of refugees. “There is very little in the way of food, there is very little in the way of water,” he explained, revealing that the small town is currently sheltering between 130,000 and 150,000 individuals.
Recent testimonies from those fleeing Zamzam highlighted the devastation in their communities, with reports of homes being set ablaze and individuals coming under fire. The RSF has acknowledged its attack on the camp but has denied any allegations of committing atrocities.