Displaced families in Tawila access protection and essential services with CERF support

After fleeing violence in Al Fasher, 17-year-old Doha arrived in Tawila, North Darfur, with her family after a three-day journey. Like hundreds of thousands of others, they sought safety in a rapidly expanding displacement site where basic services are under severe strain.

For families living in crowded shelters, access to safe water can mean the difference between health and illness.

Insufficient supplies heighten the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera.

With support from the OCHA-managed UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF), UNICEF and partners are delivering life-saving assistance, including safe water, sanitation services, health care and nutrition support.

Sustaining water, sanitation and hygiene services across Tawila includes daily chlorination of public water points to help ensure safe drinking water for newly arrived and long-settled families alike.

“Since we arrived, we have access to water and they always give us some food,” Doha says quietly.

Tawila now hosts more than 600,000 people living in makeshift shelters. As new arrivals continue, access to clean water, health care and protection services remains critical.

Health and nutrition services are also a lifeline. More than 141,000 children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella, while severely malnourished children are receiving treatment through nutrition programmes.

As needs continue to grow, sustained support remains essential to ensure that displaced families in Tawila can access protection, basic services and hope for the future. Read more about how CERF is supporting displaced communities in Sudan: https://www.unicef.org/sudan/stories/tawila-refuge-tens-thousands-uprooted-conflict

Published April 2026.

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