Resilience Amid Despair: A Family's Harrowing Escape from War-Torn Sudan

Struggling to survive amid Sudan's devastating civil war, families like Alawia Babiker Ahmed's are forced to flee violence, endure tragic losses, and navigate perilous roads to safety, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

As the civil war rages in Sudan, families face unimaginable hardships in their struggle for survival. Alawia Babiker Ahmed, just 19, experienced a heartbreaking miscarriage while fleeing the chaos of Darfur's western region. In her harrowing three-day journey covering approximately 70 kilometers (45 miles) from el-Fasher to Tawila, she encountered the brutality of war and the plight of others worse off than herself.

While dodging airstrikes and the dangers of armed militias, Alawia came across a baby abandoned by the roadside, whose mother lie lifeless. "We covered the mother and kept going," she recounted, taking the infant into her care. Since the fighting erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the humanitarian crisis has intensified, forcing over 12 million individuals from their homes, especially in Darfur, a region deeply impacted by conflict.

As the RSF intensifies efforts to seize el-Fasher, Alawia and her family were driven to flee from the city. Her brother, Marwan Mohamed Adam, 21, was assaulted during their escape. He narrowly escaped further violence by lying about his origins to the RSF gangs. "You feel fear, you feel like you are already dead," Marwan shared, recalling the grim sights of bodies left along their route.

Khadija Ismail Ali, another survivor, expressed similar despair, revealing that 11 of her family members were killed during a recent attack on el-Fasher. "The children died from thirst along the way," she described, illustrating both her family's traumatic escape and the dire conditions that have forced many to seek refuge in already precarious environments like the Zamzam camp.

The charity Alima has highlighted the severe malnutrition affecting newly displaced families arriving in Tawila, further stressing the urgency of humanitarian assistance amidst the chaos. Alawia's family faced additional challenges; they ran out of food after fleeing and, in search of water, encountered another attack by RSF fighters who stripped them of their remaining resources.

Resilience, however, shone through as they continued their trek until they finally reached safety in Tawila, albeit with Alawia collapsing from exhaustion upon arrival. After receiving medical treatment, the family located relatives of the baby they had rescued, completing their humanitarian act.

Settled into Tawila, where they have found shelter with a supportive local family, Alawia shared, "Life is OK, thank God, but we worry about the future." Meanwhile, Marwan dreams of continuing his education abroad, seeking a way to build a life away from the turmoil that has shattered so many in Sudan. The war continues, leaving millions grappling with uncertainty and loss, as their cries for help resound globally.