Families fleeing conflict are now relying on charcoal and leaves as food sources, with aid agencies revealing the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Desperate Measures: Sudanese Families Turn to Charcoal and Leaves Amid Crisis
Desperate Measures: Sudanese Families Turn to Charcoal and Leaves Amid Crisis
A grim reality unfolds as Sudanese individuals resort to extreme measures for survival following violence in el-Fasher.
In Sudan's war-torn region, families have begun consuming leaves and charcoal as their only means of survival after violence erupted at the Zamzam camp near el-Fasher. Noah Taylor, head of operations for the Norwegian Refugee Council, shared the harrowing testimonies of those escaping violence and struggling for basic sustenance. "The stories we've been hearing are truly horrific," he stated during an interview with the BBC’s Newsday program. Many fleeing from el-Fasher to Tawila face dire conditions, with reports indicating that individuals are dying from dehydration during the arduous 40km (25 mile) trek in extreme heat.
Taylor noted the presence of bodies along the path from el-Fasher to Tawila, a situation that underscores the life-threatening difficulties faced by those attempting to reach safety. One particularly tragic account involved a girl who, after enduring repeated assaults while traveling alone, succumbed to her injuries upon arrival in Tawila.
The conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region remains acute, with el-Fasher being the last city under army control. The violence escalated earlier this month when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked the Zamzam camp, displacing tens of thousands who had sought shelter there for two decades after previous conflicts. Tremendous suffering accompanies this instability, as an estimated 150,000 people have lost their lives, while approximately 13 million have been uprooted from their homes due to the ongoing war.
Despite the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, funding shortfalls have constrained aid efforts, with the UN compelled to scale back food assistance to famine-stricken areas of Sudan. The RSF has been accused of targeting non-Arab citizens in Darfur, prompting UK Foreign Minister David Lammy to comment on the potential for ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity. Lammy called on both warring parties to ensure humanitarian workers can operate safely and effectively.
The UN reported that at least 481 people have died in North Darfur since April 10, with estimates likely much higher given the chaotic circumstances. Volker Türk, the UN’s Human Rights Chief, expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions, emphasizing the collapse of support systems for victims, threats against medical personnel, and intentional attacks on essential water sources. Nathaniel Raymond from the Yale School of Public Health described widespread arson against homes and aid facilities in Zamzam, asserting that those who escaped are now facing starvation on the roads.
The town of Tawila is overwhelmed, now sheltering around 130,000 to 150,000 displaced individuals with minimal access to food and water. Survivors of the Zamzam camp told reporters of their homes being torched and individuals fired upon. Although the RSF asserts its attacks were justified, they deny the occurrence of atrocities. As fighting persists across Sudan, the situation continues to deteriorate, particularly following a deadly RSF attack in the southern province of West Kordofan that claimed 74 lives.
With more children fleeing violence in Sudan than in any other country, the ongoing humanitarian crisis demands urgent attention and intervention.
Taylor noted the presence of bodies along the path from el-Fasher to Tawila, a situation that underscores the life-threatening difficulties faced by those attempting to reach safety. One particularly tragic account involved a girl who, after enduring repeated assaults while traveling alone, succumbed to her injuries upon arrival in Tawila.
The conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region remains acute, with el-Fasher being the last city under army control. The violence escalated earlier this month when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked the Zamzam camp, displacing tens of thousands who had sought shelter there for two decades after previous conflicts. Tremendous suffering accompanies this instability, as an estimated 150,000 people have lost their lives, while approximately 13 million have been uprooted from their homes due to the ongoing war.
Despite the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, funding shortfalls have constrained aid efforts, with the UN compelled to scale back food assistance to famine-stricken areas of Sudan. The RSF has been accused of targeting non-Arab citizens in Darfur, prompting UK Foreign Minister David Lammy to comment on the potential for ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity. Lammy called on both warring parties to ensure humanitarian workers can operate safely and effectively.
The UN reported that at least 481 people have died in North Darfur since April 10, with estimates likely much higher given the chaotic circumstances. Volker Türk, the UN’s Human Rights Chief, expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions, emphasizing the collapse of support systems for victims, threats against medical personnel, and intentional attacks on essential water sources. Nathaniel Raymond from the Yale School of Public Health described widespread arson against homes and aid facilities in Zamzam, asserting that those who escaped are now facing starvation on the roads.
The town of Tawila is overwhelmed, now sheltering around 130,000 to 150,000 displaced individuals with minimal access to food and water. Survivors of the Zamzam camp told reporters of their homes being torched and individuals fired upon. Although the RSF asserts its attacks were justified, they deny the occurrence of atrocities. As fighting persists across Sudan, the situation continues to deteriorate, particularly following a deadly RSF attack in the southern province of West Kordofan that claimed 74 lives.
With more children fleeing violence in Sudan than in any other country, the ongoing humanitarian crisis demands urgent attention and intervention.
