Several displaced women in El Fasher in North Darfur State said they were subjected to harsh and painful experiences while fleeing the hell of war from other parts of Darfur to the town of Al Fasher.
In the last couple of weeks, El Fasher has received large numbers of displaced people who fled from Nyala and the areas of South Darfur following the escalation of the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and clashes between the Salamat and Beni Halba tribes.
Radio Tamazuj spoke to some displaced women who survived the ordeal and are now sheltering at the Al-Fasher South School Center, which hosts large numbers of displaced people.
Kulthum Alaa Adam, fled from Nyala in South Darfur State to the Kaboun area and before she could settle there, tribal skirmishes broke out between the Beni Halba and Salamat tribes, forcing her and other families to again flee using rough roads back to Nyala.
“We returned to Nyala which was witnessing fierce battles which forced us to leave again and come to Al Fasher,” she said. “We have suffered from many challenges including harassment, violence, and hunger which led to many deaths among children and the elderly.”
Another displaced woman, who preferred anonymity, said she had a miscarriage while fleeing Nyala.
“I was running fast and there was shooting everywhere. I felt as if there was something like water running down my body, but it was bleeding,” she narrated. “Some women sat me under a tree and gave me water to drink and a dress to cover my body.”
She said the war has brought about massive losses and appealed to the leaders of the warring groups to consider the interests of the Sudanese people before their interests.
Another displaced woman, Alaa Adam, said that the journey took them many days on foot through harsh conditions and urged the leaders to bring the war to an immediate end. She appealed to the international community to put pressure on the contending parties and ensure that those involved in violating women’s rights are held accountable.
The displaced women and children being hosted at the Center for Displaced Persons at the Southern School in Al Fasher live in dire circumstances despite the efforts by young volunteers to provide basic services and health care.