Conflict and Displacement in North Darfur

The city of el-Fasher in North Darfur has experienced a significant escalation in conflict, leading to a tripling of displaced individuals in Tawila, a nearby town. According to an official from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the ongoing conflict has resulted in a 62 percent reduction in el-Fasher’s population this year.

The intensified conflict in el-Fasher involves confrontations between the army and rival paramilitary forces, contributing to the displacement crisis. The war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the military began in 2023, following tensions between the two groups initially allied for Sudan’s democratic transition post-2019 uprising.

This conflict has resulted in at least 40,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 12 million individuals, according to the World Health Organization. Additionally, over 24 million people in Sudan are experiencing acute food insecurity, as reported by the World Food Program.

El-Fasher serves as the military’s last stronghold in the Darfur region, which remains a central area of conflict alongside Kordofan. The displacement has severely limited access to essential services, including clean water, nutrition, and healthcare.

Impact on Health Services

Sudan’s Health Minister, Haitham Ibrahim, stated that healthcare services have been restored in 60 percent of hospitals in army-controlled areas, including Khartoum. However, diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever continue to spread due to the compromised healthcare infrastructure.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been 113,629 recorded cases of cholera and 3,029 deaths in Sudan since the outbreak began in July 2024. The Health Minister noted that medical aid entering the country is insufficient, as supply trucks are often attacked or robbed before reaching affected communities.