For months, Tawila in Sudan's North Darfur state was the only safe haven for hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the devastating conflict that has ravaged the country. But even this fragile sanctuary is starting to crack under the weight of war.
When Montaha Omer Mustafa, 18, finally made it out of el-Fasher, a city seized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in October, she had to pay for passage and trudge through scorching scrubland with little water. Her journey was one of countless others that mirrored her story – abandoning homes, possessions, and even family members in pursuit of survival.
The swift collapse of el-Fasher left the city a "ghost town", where medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) fears many civilians were killed or displaced. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 120,000 people fled the RSF's capture, with 75% already internally displaced persons (IDPs). Yet, tens of thousands remain trapped in the city, facing extreme hardship.
As aid convoys enter the war-torn region, survivors recount harrowing scenes: bodies everywhere, food and water running out, and families torn apart. The UN Security Council's deputy prosecutor described the RSF's capture as a "calculated campaign of profound suffering", targeting non-Arab populations, particularly from the Zaghawa and Fur tribes.
Evidence suggests systematic efforts to destroy evidence of mass killings, with satellite imagery showing deliberate attempts to conceal human remains. Activists and rights groups have expressed skepticism over the RSF leader's admission that some perpetrators had been arrested, pointing instead to a war economy sustained by exorbitant prices for goods entering the city.
For those who made it out, life in Tawila is a daily struggle. Refugees endure freezing temperatures without blankets or mattresses, with little access to food, water, and healthcare. The Sudan Doctors Network has sounded the alarm on a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, while aid deliveries are meager and inconsistent.
For those who've lost everything – including family members – survival is a daily test of endurance. Abdalla Ahmed Fadul Abu-Zaid, whose leg was amputated due to lack of medical care in el-Fasher, now struggles to access even basic treatment for his wound. His story is just one among countless others, each bearing witness to the devastating consequences of war on civilians in Sudan's North Darfur region.
As the world watches, it becomes increasingly clear that Tawila is not a sanctuary but a temporary refuge from the horrors of war. The international community must confront the scale and severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding before their eyes, demanding action to alleviate the suffering of those who've lost everything – including their sense of security, dignity, and hope.
When Montaha Omer Mustafa, 18, finally made it out of el-Fasher, a city seized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in October, she had to pay for passage and trudge through scorching scrubland with little water. Her journey was one of countless others that mirrored her story – abandoning homes, possessions, and even family members in pursuit of survival.
The swift collapse of el-Fasher left the city a "ghost town", where medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) fears many civilians were killed or displaced. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 120,000 people fled the RSF's capture, with 75% already internally displaced persons (IDPs). Yet, tens of thousands remain trapped in the city, facing extreme hardship.
As aid convoys enter the war-torn region, survivors recount harrowing scenes: bodies everywhere, food and water running out, and families torn apart. The UN Security Council's deputy prosecutor described the RSF's capture as a "calculated campaign of profound suffering", targeting non-Arab populations, particularly from the Zaghawa and Fur tribes.
Evidence suggests systematic efforts to destroy evidence of mass killings, with satellite imagery showing deliberate attempts to conceal human remains. Activists and rights groups have expressed skepticism over the RSF leader's admission that some perpetrators had been arrested, pointing instead to a war economy sustained by exorbitant prices for goods entering the city.
For those who made it out, life in Tawila is a daily struggle. Refugees endure freezing temperatures without blankets or mattresses, with little access to food, water, and healthcare. The Sudan Doctors Network has sounded the alarm on a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, while aid deliveries are meager and inconsistent.
For those who've lost everything – including family members – survival is a daily test of endurance. Abdalla Ahmed Fadul Abu-Zaid, whose leg was amputated due to lack of medical care in el-Fasher, now struggles to access even basic treatment for his wound. His story is just one among countless others, each bearing witness to the devastating consequences of war on civilians in Sudan's North Darfur region.
As the world watches, it becomes increasingly clear that Tawila is not a sanctuary but a temporary refuge from the horrors of war. The international community must confront the scale and severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding before their eyes, demanding action to alleviate the suffering of those who've lost everything – including their sense of security, dignity, and hope.
it's crazy the RSF is doin like this 2 innocent ppl tryna survive war is literally a never endin cycle 
i feel 4 all those people stuck in el-Fasher, it's like bein trapped in a nightmare wiv no escape 
but on the bright side, Tawila is still their 1st stop 2 safety, so that's somethin 
gotta keep pushin 4 dem aid convoys 2 get in ASAP tho, can't let ppl suffer in silence 
. I remember hearing about the civil war in the 90s and how devastating it was for the people. It seems like we're right back where we were all over again 
. The thought of hundreds of thousands of refugees having to flee their homes and facing extreme hardship is just heartbreaking. And the fact that aid convoys are still struggling to reach them makes you wonder if anyone's even listening 
. I mean, we're talking about a humanitarian crisis here, folks! We need to be doing more than just sending in aid convoys – we need to be holding people accountable for their actions 
. The RSF's actions sound like they're from a war movie, not real life 
. It's time for the international community to step up and demand action to stop this suffering once and for all 
.
. The Rapid Support Forces' capture of el-Fasher has left hundreds of thousands of people with no safe haven. Imagine having to pay for passage just to escape the war, and then trudging through scorching desert with no water or food 
. And it gets worse - the UN is saying it's a "calculated campaign of profound suffering" targeting innocent civilians. The international community needs to step up ASAP because this refugee crisis is only getting worse 
. Meanwhile, people like Abdalla are stuck in limbo, struggling to access basic medical care after losing everything 
. we need to take action ASAP to help these people, not just give empty promises 
. our priority shud be gettin these ppl the help they need, not just talkin bout humanitarian crisis 
. And what really grinds my gears is that there's evidence of systematic efforts to destroy proof of these atrocities... it's like they're trying to erase human history 
. We need to do something, I'm not naive, but the international community needs to step up and provide real aid, not just empty promises 
. It's time for us to take responsibility for what's happening in Sudan, for our future generations' sake 
we gotta do something ASAP 
and now they're stuck in this freezing cold place with hardly any meds or basic supplies 
No one should have to go through this. We need to take action NOW 
The situation is dire and it needs immediate attention.
Sudan is one of the poorest countries already, war's gonna make things worse for everyone involved. We need to step up with aid & support ASAP 
MSF & other orgs are doing their best but it's just not enough. What's the world waiting for? 
The fact that people are losing limbs and struggling to get basic medical care is just devastating. We need to step up and provide real support for these people.
. It's heartbreaking to see hundreds of thousands of people still trapped there with no access to basic necessities like water and food 
. We gotta do more to support these people and hold those in power accountable for their actions 
. but here's the thing – every single person deserves dignity, security, and hope 
. The situation is getting worse by the day, with tons of people still trapped in the city 
. The world needs to take notice of what's happening in North Darfur and do something about it ASAP 
where's the aid comin from? when will it get there? Sudan needs our help now