Tawila overwhelmed as El Fasher exodus deepens Darfur crisis
The sudden influx is overwhelming local systems, leaving thousands of newly displaced people without essential support.
Thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict-torn city of El Fasher in Sudan have arrived in Tawila, joining an already displaced population of roughly 400,000.
According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the influx has pushed the town’s limited resources and services to the breaking point.
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Families are living in overcrowded makeshift shelters with restricted access to clean water, food, and healthcare, while humanitarian agencies in North Darfur are able to meet only about 50 per cent of basic needs.
The sudden influx is overwhelming local systems, leaving thousands of newly displaced people without essential support. Arjan Hehenkamp, IRC Darfur crisis lead, described the situation as dire.
“People arriving from El Fasher are coming from what can only be described as a hellscape, a city torn apart by conflict, destruction, and despair. They come with nothing but the clothes on their backs, severely traumatised, looking for safety and support. But Tawila itself is at breaking point. Without a significant scale-up in humanitarian assistance, the suffering here will deepen further."
The IRC is scaling up its emergency response in Tawila and surrounding areas in North Darfur through safe water supplies, mobile health clinics, cash assistance, and emergency response activities to reach those most in need.
Teams are providing lifesaving medical care, clean water, emergency cash, and essential supplies while also working to prevent disease outbreaks amid poor sanitation and overburdened services.
The IRC is calling on the international community to urgently increase flexible funding, exert diplomatic pressure on all parties to the conflict and their sponsors, and ensure safe humanitarian access across North Darfur, Sudan.
All actors must guarantee the protection of civilians, both those remaining in El Fasher and those seeking safety, as well as for humanitarian responders operating in the region.
The situation in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, North Darfur, has intensified as clashes continue between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The ongoing fighting has resulted in significant civilian casualties and large-scale displacement. The city is now experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with critical shortages of food, clean water, and medical assistance.
Without immediate support, the needs of Tawila’s displaced population could far exceed the capacity of aid organisations, leaving countless families without water, shelter, or medical care.
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