Surviving the Sudan War: How People Are Turning to Charcoal and Leaves for Food, Warns Aid Agency

People in Sudan are facing unimaginable hardships. Many have resorted to eating leaves and even charcoal just to survive after fleeing an attack on a camp for displaced individuals near el-Fasher. Noah Taylor, who oversees operations for the Norwegian Refugee Council, shared chilling stories from the ground during a recent interview with the BBC. He said that families are making desperate journeys from el-Fasher to nearby Tawila, but tragically, some are dying along the way, often due to extreme thirst and harsh temperatures.

Reports indicate there are still bodies along the road between these two locations. One heartbreaking story involves a young girl who made the journey alone. She suffered horrific violence on her way and ultimately succumbed to her injuries upon reaching Tawila.

Currently, el-Fasher is the last major city in western Darfur under government control. Just weeks ago, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an attack on the Zamzam camp, forcing many long-term residents—some of whom had lived there for over two decades—to flee their homes once again. The conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s army has raged for two years, causing over 13 million people to abandon their homes.

This crisis is labeled the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today. Unfortunately, funding shortages have led to cuts in the food aid provided by the UN, worsening the situation for people already facing famine.

The RSF has been accused of targeting non-Arab residents in Darfur. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy recently remarked that these actions appear to underscore patterns of ethnic cleansing and could potentially lead to charges of crimes against humanity. He has called for both sides to ensure that aid organizations can operate safely and deliver essential supplies quickly.

According to the UN, at least 481 deaths have been reported in North Darfur around el-Fasher since April, but the actual number could be even higher. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed deep concern, noting that systems to help victims are failing and medical workers are under threat. The situation is dire, with even water sources being attacked.

Reports suggest that the Zamzam camp has been completely burned down. Nathaniel Raymond from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab described instances of systematic destruction, including both homes and aid facilities, leaving those who escape without resources.

Tawila is struggling to accommodate the influx of new arrivals, with estimates of 130,000 to 150,000 additional people flooding into the small town. Noah Taylor emphasized the critical lack of food and water in the area.

Witnesses from Zamzam have described how they fled after facing attacks and seeing their homes burned. While the RSF admits to attacking the camp, they deny committing any atrocities.

The violence isn’t isolated to just one area; reports indicate continued fighting in other parts of Sudan as well, including the recent deadly attack on the village of al-Za’afah in West Kordofan, where 74 people lost their lives.

Sudan is at a breaking point, and the international community must pay attention to this escalating catastrophe. For more details, you can check the BBC article.

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