In brief
In the wake of a violent attack by paramilitary forces, thousands of internally displaced people have made treacherous journeys from Zamzam camp to the safer town of Tawila, highlighting the devastating impact of ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The 700,000 residents of Zamzam camp, Sudan's largest haven for internally displaced people, face destruction and violence at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group seeking control over the nearby city of el-Fasher. Many, including 28-year-old mother Fathiya Mohammed, have mourned losses and endured harrowing escapes. Fathiya, carrying her two children and belongings, walked barefoot for four torturous days to reach Tawila after fleeing the chaos that claimed her husband and home.Reports from medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) illustrate the scale of the crisis; tens of thousands of displaced individuals have poured into Tawila as Zamzam remains in ruins. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to accommodate the influx of patients, consistently treating gunshot victims among the displaced. Survivors recount harrowing tales of robberies and violent encounters, with many stating they lost family members during the onslaught.Zamzam camp was originally established in 2004 to help those fleeing ethnic violence in Darfur; its destruction seems poised to alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict. As RSF reassesses control post their losses in capital cities, fears of a divided Sudan loom larger than ever.Although Fathiya has found temporary refuge, she and countless others share a singular wish—that peace will return to their lives. "We want the war to stop," she reflects, embodying the heart-wrenching hopes of so many.
