In brief
The Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan has been devastated by an alleged assault from paramilitary fighters, causing further suffering among the already vulnerable population facing famine conditions.
---A severe humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Sudan as a paramilitary group has reportedly stormed the Zamzam displacement camp, one of the largest in the country, exacerbating already dire living conditions. With a population estimated at 500,000, residents of Zamzam are enduring famine due to ongoing conflict and resource shortages.According to local sources, including the Sudanese IDPs and Refugees Bloc, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) invaded the camp on Tuesday. Eyewitness accounts described the chaos as "extremely catastrophic," with reports of looting and destruction of market stalls and homes. Although the RSF spokesperson has denied the invasion, claiming instead that they were engaged in operations against a military-affiliated armed group nearby, conflicting eyewitness accounts and social media evidence depict a different story.The intense fighting in North Darfur has drawn national and international scrutiny, particularly as artillery bombardments have plagued the camp since late last year. Medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirmed receiving casualties at their facility, which is struggling to meet the overwhelming demand. They reported the admission of seven dead and 21 injured, many in critical condition. The dire situation has been exacerbated by the RSF blocking routes to el-Fasher, further complicating emergency medical responses.North Darfur's Health Minister, Ibrahim Abdullah Khater, emphasized that the displaced populations, already at risk due to famine conditions, are suffering the most. Humanitarian crises in the region have intensified since last year, marking a troubling escalation in violence against marginalized groups.International organizations have raised alarms over the deteriorating situation, arguing that Zamzam’s attack reflects a broader pattern of violence permeating displacement camps across Sudan. With the under-siege city of el-Fasher now the last major center under military control, the landscape of safety for internally displaced persons in North Darfur is rapidly vanishing. Experts fear for the future stability of the region as conditions worsen.
