Sudan: Displacement from Zamzam camp, North Darfur State - Flash Update No. 01 (As of 15 April 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Civilian deaths and mass displacement have been reported from Zamzam camp near Al Fasher in North Darfur following reports that groups affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces have taken control of the camp.
• Preliminary reports indicate that more than 400 civilians – including women, children and older people, along with 12 aid workers – have been killed in Zamzam and Um Kadadah in North Darfur in the past three days.
• Estimates indicate that more than 400,000 people have fled Zamzam, seeking safety in Al Fasher, Dar As Salam and Tawila localities, with additional reports of displaced people arriving in Jebel Marra in Central Darfur State.
• Humanitarian partners plan to distribute essential non-food items to more than 9,000 people displaced from Zamzam and sheltering in Al Fasher.
• Ongoing insecurity and a communication blackout in and around Al Fasher are restricting access and putting aid workers at risk.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Forces affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly launched artillery, drone and ground attacks on Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps, as well as on Al Fasher town, the capital of North Darfur State, on 11 and 12 April, causing civilian deaths and mass displacement.

In a statement marking two years since the conflict in Sudan began, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has called for an immediate end to the hostilities, urging those engaged in the conflict to uphold their obligations to protect civilians and humanitarian workers.

Preliminary reports indicate that more than 400 civilians – including women, children and older people, as well as 12 aid workers – have been killed in Zamzam and Um Kadadah in North Darfur in the past three days.

As of 15 April, Zamzam camp remains inaccessible, and a communication blackout continues to hinder efforts to verify the situation on the ground. However, reports indicate the forces affiliated with the RSF have taken control of the camp and are preventing those who remain inside, especially young people, from leaving.

An international NGO with staff still in Zamzam has reported seeking assistance to evacuate its personnel, but there is currently no safe way to move them out.

People moving out of Zamzam were reportedly stripped of all belongings and are arriving at displacement sites with nothing, in urgent need of food, shelter and basic supplies.

Thousands of displaced people in Zamzam camp have been enduring famine conditions since August 2024. Satellite images reveal widespread destruction across the camp.

Humanitarian partners are mobilizing relief supplies, including food and non-food items. An inter-cluster mission to Tawila locality is scheduled for later this month to assist the newly displaced families.

The recent escalation of fighting in Al Fasher coincided with ongoing efforts to secure safe passage for civilians and enable humanitarians to deliver critical assistance.

HUMANITARIAN IMPACT AND NEEDS

Up to 400,000 people (80,000 families) have reportedly been displaced from Zamzam to the towns of Al Fasher and Tawila in North Darfur in recent days, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Access remains severely constrained by ongoing hostilities and a communications blackout. Fuel shortages are disrupting water services and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Civilians face increasing protection risks, including blocked movement and reported ethnically motivated violence. Humanitarian partners report severe shortages of food, fuel, water and health supplies in Zamzam and Al Fasher. Diesel prices have spiked fivefold, halting water trucking services and jeopardizing access to safe drinking water.

Some reports indicate that about 6,300 people displaced from Zamzam camp arrived in Jebel Marra – a mountainous massif straddling parts of North Darfur, Central Darfur and South Darfur – in the past week. These numbers are yet to be verified by IOM. About 85 per cent of the new arrivals are women, children and older people, all in need of urgent assistance. They are currently located in Funga Suk, Rokero, Golo and Nertiti town in Central Darfur, and Sortony in North Darfur. More displacement is expected following the exodus of more than 400,000 people from Zamzam.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian partners plan to distribute essential non-food items (NFIs) to more than 9,000 people displaced from Zamzam and sheltering in Al Fasher. But ongoing insecurity and a communication blackout in and around Al Fasher are restricting access and putting aid workers at risk.

On 13 April, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator convened an inter-agency coordination meeting to assess needs and response efforts on the ground. Plans are underway to distribute 1,850 essential NFI kits in Al Fasher and 1,800 metric tons of food in Tawila, but ongoing insecurity is restricting humanitarian access.

###