Sudan Displacement Crisis: 15,000 Households Affected
Recent clashes in Sudan’s North Darfur state have resulted in the displacement of approximately 15,000 households in just 48 hours, according to a report from the United Nations migration agency. The fighting, which erupted between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army along with allied militias, forced families to flee their homes primarily within the region. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that the escalating violence began on a Thursday and continued through to Friday, driving thousands to seek refuge elsewhere.
Since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, the RSF and army battles have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of individuals, displacing more than 12 million people and triggering one of the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crises. In North Darfur alone, it is estimated that nearly 1.7 million people are now displaced, while around two million residents face extreme food insecurity, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.
Al-Malha Under Siege
On Thursday, the RSF announced that they had taken control of Al-Malha, a town located 200 kilometers northeast of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Reports from local activists indicated that at least 45 civilians lost their lives during the RSF’s assault. The paramilitary group claimed to have ‘encircled the enemy’ and reported over 380 fatalities among opposing forces during the conflict, emphasizing the violent and chaotic nature of the clashes.
Al-Malha represents a critical point in the ongoing conflict, situated in a vast desert region that borders Libya. The RSF, working alongside a coalition of armed groups known as the Joint Forces, has been engaged in fierce battles in this area for several months. Importantly, El-Fasher remains the only state capital still under the army’s control, but recent military actions by the army, including the recapture of the presidential palace in Khartoum, signal ongoing tension and conflict across the region.
Dire Humanitarian Conditions
The humanitarian situation in North Darfur is worsening, with fears of mass starvation looming. Severe famine conditions have already been declared in three displacement camps surrounding El-Fasher, exacerbating the suffering of those uprooted by the violence. As conditions deteriorate, the United Nations has projected that the levels of food insecurity may extend to five additional areas within the state, including the capital, by May.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to create a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. With millions displaced and vast numbers facing hunger, the international community faces increasing pressure to respond effectively to the urgent needs of those affected. The RSF’s attempts to consolidate control over Darfur and the resuscitation of military operations from both sides suggest that the situation may deteriorate further in the coming months.
