Fire in Tawila Displacement Camp Claims Two Lives and Destroys Shelters

A fire erupted on Monday in a displacement camp in Tawila, North Darfur, resulting in the deaths of a child and an elderly woman, and injuring several others. The blaze destroyed dozens of shelters, leaving numerous families without homes. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began in a kitchen within the camp and rapidly spread due to overcrowding and the use of flammable building materials.

The General Coordination of Camps for Displaced Persons and Refugees stated that the fire claimed the life of a five-year-old child and left hundreds of children, women, and elderly people without shelter, food, or protection from harsh nighttime conditions. The organization emphasized the fragile humanitarian situation facing displaced communities in Darfur and called for immediate emergency assistance, including shelter, food, water, and medical care.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) expressed deep concern over the incident. Zeleke Bacha, IRC West Sudan Director, stated that the organization is devastated by the loss and is providing urgent psychosocial support, medical consultations, emergency cash, and clean water to affected households, prioritizing those who have lost everything once again.

Tawila has become a major refuge for civilians fleeing violence in and around El Fasher, particularly after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the city in October 2025. The town now hosts about 655,000 displaced people, most of whom escaped El Fasher through dangerous routes in search of safety.

The IRC continues to provide support in various states, including Blue Nile, Gedaref, Khartoum, River Nile, South Kordofan, and White Nile, and is working on re-establishing its presence in Jazera state. The organization has an office in Port Sudan and is expanding its presence into other states, including Darfur.