Aid groups warn of ‘complete collapse’ in Darfur as displacement surges
November 13, 2025 (TAWILA) – Hundreds of people are arriving daily in Tawila, North Darfur, despite the escalating humanitarian crisis, an IDP community leader said on Thursday.
Situated approximately 60 km (37 miles) west of El Fasher, Tawila has become a refuge for 655,000 displaced persons (IDPs), the vast majority of whom fled El Fasher itself. Currently, only 21% of these individuals are housed in formal camps, while 74% are living in informal settlements and open-air gathering sites.
Adam Regal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, told Sudan Tribune that “the daily displacement operations from El Fasher to Tawila are still ongoing, with 250 to 300 people arriving in the area daily.”
He noted that since October 10, Tawila has received over 17,355 families, further straining available resources.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated in a report published on October 29 that 98% of families in Tawila lack sleeping materials such as blankets, mattresses, and mosquito nets. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) confirmed that families are forced to sleep in the open, increasing the risks of women and girls being exposed to violence, exploitation, and abuse.
The IOM reported that 86% of the IDPs in Tawila face poor food consumption, and 30% of children under the age of five are thin or not growing well, according to the report.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) stated on August 18, 2025, that 98% of families in Tawila are unable to meet their basic needs. 46% of families depend on relief and communal kitchens for food, 44% rely on donations and purchases, while the rest depend on loans and begging.
Adam Regal stated that the closure of the Adre crossing by Chadian authorities has led to food shortages. IDPs are suffering from severe shortages of food and resources, while food prices have soared, with a kilo of sugar reaching 5,000 pounds in Darfur’s cities.
On Monday, Chad reopened the crossing, which links to West Darfur, after a 12-day closure.
Regal stressed the urgent need for aid for IDPs in Tawila and the rest of Darfur’s camps, as the relief that has arrived covers less than 10% of the actual needs.
The spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees called for increased support and humanitarian aid to save the lives of the IDPs, especially as some areas have not received food rations since last June, causing a rise in malnutrition cases.
He called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently to save the lives of the displaced, as the humanitarian situation in Darfur is at risk of complete collapse.
UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher arrived in West Darfur on Wednesday. He continued his journey to El Geneina in Central Darfur, amid expectations that the trip would include the Tawila area. This follows a visit to Port Sudan, where he held a meeting with the head of the Sovereign Council.