One of Sudan’s largest displacement camps, Zamzam, has been all but emptied following the occupation by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), triggering a humanitarian catastrophe in North Darfur, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned Thursday.

Once home to over 400,000 displaced people, Zamzam camp has been largely vacated as civilians flee hunger and escalating violence, seeking safety in surrounding areas — particularly in El-Fasher, now encircled by RSF units and considered the last major city in Darfur under Sudanese Army control.

According to OCHA, satellite imagery confirmed fires in the area and credible reports that RSF militants have blocked residents from fleeing, deepening what has already become one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the region.

The mass displacement is spreading across multiple routes. At least 150,000 people have sought refuge in El-Fasher, while an estimated 181,000 have fled to Tawilaa, straining already overburdened communities.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports between 60,000 and 80,000 families have fled Zamzam since the RSF takeover, adding to the mounting humanitarian crisis in North Darfur.

📌 “This level of displacement is unprecedented,” said a UN field coordinator speaking under anonymity due to security concerns. “People are fleeing into siege zones. They’re not running to safety, they’re running into uncertainty.”

The food crisis in Sudan has already reached famine-level alerts, with Zamzam becoming the first area in the country to be officially declared in famine conditions in August 2024. By December, two more camps in Darfur had reached similar levels, according to UN-backed assessments.

War Crimes and Human Rights Abuses Worsen the Crisis

As clashes intensify following the Sudanese army’s recent announcement of reclaiming parts of the capital Khartoum, war crimes and systemic human rights violations are being documented across conflict zones.

A UN agency accused armed groups of using rape as a weapon of war, while Amnesty International has recorded evidence of sexual slavery and gang rapes by RSF members in Darfur.

Amid growing international concern, the Group of Seven (G7) issued a statement this week demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Sudan. The foreign ministers also called on foreign actors to stop fueling the conflict with arms and logistical support.

Yet on the ground, civilians continue to suffer the brunt of a war that has displaced millions and devastated communities in Darfur. As international aid dwindles — with the World Food Programme announcing cuts due to funding shortfalls — humanitarian organizations warn that inaction will cost thousands more lives.

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