Thousands of displaced civilians in Sudan’s Darfur region marked Eid in mourning rather than celebration, as worsening humanitarian conditions overshadowed the religious holiday in camps such as Tawila in North Darfur.
Residents who fled violence in El Fasher gathered for prayers on Friday, but many say the spirit of Eid has been replaced by grief and survival struggles. The mass displacement followed the takeover of the city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in October, after intense fighting with the Sudanese Armed Forces.
For many families, the losses have been devastating. Displaced residents described the holiday as a painful reminder of loved ones lost and communities destroyed.
Tawila camp has since grown into a vast settlement hosting more than one million people, most of whom escaped the violence in El Fasher. Aid agencies warn that the scale of need is rapidly outpacing available resources, with shortages of food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies becoming increasingly severe.
Humanitarian appeals have intensified as vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, face mounting risks in overcrowded and under-resourced conditions. Residents have called for urgent international assistance to address basic needs and provide protection services.
The crisis in Sudan has escalated dramatically since conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have been killed, while more than 11 million have been displaced across the country.
An estimated 34 million people now require humanitarian assistance, underscoring the scale of one of the world’s most severe and underfunded crises.
As Eid passes in silence across camps like Tawila, the reality for many Sudanese remains one of uncertainty, loss, and an urgent need for global attention.
