Two killed in North Darfur displacement camp fire

February 9, 2025 (TAWILA) — At least two people died on Monday when a massive fire swept through temporary shelters for displaced people in the North Darfur town of Tawila, a local official said.

Tawila, located about 60 km (37 miles) west of the state capital El Fasher, has become a primary refuge for some 655,000 people. Most inhabitants fled El Fasher: 74% live in informal settlements and open gathering sites, while 21% remain in established camps.

The town’s population surged after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of El Fasher on Oct. 26, 2024, forcing thousands to undergo perilous journeys to reach safety.

Yahya Ibrahim, a member of the Tawila Emergency Room, told Sudan Tribune that the deceased included a 12-year-old child. The fire broke out in the Hilla Naima area of the town.

The blaze destroyed dozens of homes built from local materials, leaving a large number of families without shelter and destroying their belongings, Ibrahim said.

The camp hosts thousands of families who fled El Fasher and nearby villages such as Golo and Shaqra in recent months to escape escalating combat. Displaced residents in the area face severe shortages of food and basic services.

The incident highlights a worsening humanitarian crisis in North Darfur, where aid response remains limited. Concerns are growing over the risk of similar disasters in the region’s increasingly overcrowded camps.