Resilience Amidst Horror: Sudanese Families Endure the Ravages of War

Alawia Babiker Ahmed, along with her family, endured harrowing struggles during their escape from war-torn el-Fasher to Tawila, highlighting the relentless turmoil shaping the lives of Sudanese civilians amidst the ongoing conflict.

In the face of immense adversity, Alawia Babiker Ahmed, a 19-year-old mother, endured a miscarriage while fleeing the intense violence of Sudan’s civil war. Her family's harrowing journey spanned three days and approximately 70 kilometers (45 miles) as they sought refuge from besieged el-Fasher, navigating air strikes and armed groups along the way. "I was bleeding on the way," she recounted, but acknowledged the plight of others as she encountered deeply distressing scenes, including an abandoned infant crying for his deceased mother. In a moment of compassion, she picked up the child, stating, "We covered the mother and kept going."

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war, sparking one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with over 12 million people displaced. The region of Darfur has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have asserted control, except for the city of el-Fasher, which remains under army control.

As bombardment intensified, Alawia and her family had no choice but to flee toward Tawila. Along their perilous route, her brother, Marwan Mohamed Adam, 21, faced violence from RSF-affiliated gangs. "I was beaten... robbed of everything I had," he shared. His survival hinged on a quick-thinking deception as he masked his identity to avoid fatal retribution.

Others have also suffered unspeakable losses; Khadija Ismail Ali disclosed that her family had succumbed to violence and hunger, losing 11 members, including children during their traumatic exodus from el-Fasher. "The children died from thirst along the way," she lamented. Amidst such tragedy, medical charity Alima reported rampant malnutrition, particularly among children arriving in Tawila.

On their quest for necessities, Alawia's family encountered RSF fighters while searching for water in the dark. The attackers confiscated their last possessions and denied them access to water, leaving them to trek further until they at last reached el-Koweim, suffering ongoing abuse along the way.

Upon reaching Tawila, Alawia collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration, though she received immediate medical attention. After restoring her health, they successfully located the relatives of the orphaned child. Currently, Alawia and her family reside with a local family in Tawila, expressing gratitude for safety while grappling with uncertainty about their future. Marwan, aspiring to continue his education, dreams of seeking a life beyond Sudan, highlighting the plight of millions caught in the conflict's devastating wake.