Displaced families in Sudan’s Tawila camp spent what should have been a joyous Eid in grief and hardship, as ongoing conflict continues to devastate lives across the country.
While Muslims around the world gathered in celebration, thousands of internally displaced persons in North Darfur assembled only for prayers—without the usual festivity, food, or family gatherings that define the holiday.
Most residents of Tawila fled the capital of North Darfur, El Fasher, after it was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in October. The takeover reportedly came with extreme violence, forcing mass displacement and leaving deep emotional scars.
For many, Eid served as a painful reminder of everything they have lost.
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“How can we celebrate Eid when our country is devastated?” asked Tayseer Adam, a displaced woman in the camp. “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. We have lost so many people.”
Another resident, Eman Mansour, described the emotional toll of the conflict:
“This Eid is sad, as if it isn’t Eid at all. We lost our entire family in the shelling of El Fasher.”
Tawila camp, now hosting over a million displaced people, is struggling under immense pressure. Humanitarian aid remains insufficient, with shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies worsening conditions daily.
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Marwa Issa Mohamed, another displaced resident, made an urgent appeal to the global community:
“We call on humanitarian organisations to support us with shelter, essential supplies, and care for our children. Women here face particular challenges and need targeted support.”
The crisis stems from the ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which began in April 2023. Since then, tens of thousands have been killed, and more than 11 million people displaced.
According to the United Nations, approximately 34 million people across Sudan now require urgent humanitarian assistance.
As the war drags on, for many in Tawila, Eid is no longer a celebration—but a symbol of survival in the face of unimaginable loss.
