Over 81,000 civilians displaced by fighting in Sudan's El-Fasher region

The International Organization for Migration reported Wednesday that over 81,000 civilians have been displaced from El-Fasher and adjacent villages in Sudan's North Darfur state since October 26 amid escalating violence. The UN agency described these figures as preliminary, noting that ongoing insecurity and rapidly changing displacement patterns continue to complicate accurate assessment of the humanitarian crisis.

Regional Displacement Patterns and Security Conditions

According to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix, the majority of those displaced remain within El-Fasher locality, while smaller numbers have relocated to Kabkabiya, Mellit, Kutum, and Tawila in North Darfur. Field teams reported "extreme insecurity along the roads, obstructing movement," with the overall situation characterized as "tense and volatile." Additional displacement has been recorded across multiple Sudanese states, including White Nile, West Kordofan, and various Darfur regions.

Humanitarian Crisis and Aid Shortages

The UN Children's Fund issued a separate warning that humanitarian needs are outpacing available resources, particularly in Tawila where families arrive "exhausted, hungry and in urgent need of care." UNICEF and partner organizations are providing therapeutic feeding, water, and health services, but current assistance levels remain insufficient to address the growing crisis. The capture of El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces on October 26 triggered the latest wave of displacement, with reports of civilian massacres compounding the emergency.

Broader Conflict Context and Territorial Control

The fighting around El-Fasher occurs within the larger Sudanese civil war that began in April 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary RSF. The RSF currently controls all five states of the Darfur region except some northern areas of North Darfur, while the army maintains authority over most other regions, including the capital Khartoum. The conflict has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced millions nationwide, with numerous international mediation attempts failing to produce a sustainable ceasefire.