New deadly attack on Zamzam camp, with survivors arriving to Tawila

The very last international aid organisation that was still operating in Zamzam, Relief International confirmed the killing of 9 of their staff running a clinic in the camp. A news that is properly shocking. There are reports of people fleeing in all direction from Zamzam. Our team in Tawila (60km away from Zamzam) witnessed the arrival of 10,000 displaced people in less than 48h: mostly women and children, the majority of them in an advanced state of dehydration and exhaustion and reporting horrific violence. As an emergency response, we set up a health post, distribute water, essential supplies, provide medical consultations and referral to the MSF-supported hospital in Tawila.

Marion Ramstein, MSF emergency field coordinator in North Darfur, declares : 

After being starved, shelled and deprived of lifesaving assistance, people in Zamzam displacement camp, near El Fasher, are once again under attack. The RSF and allied armed groups launched a large-scale ground offensive on April 11. There are reports of people fleeing and many casualties, although we can’t verify how many at the moment.

Back in February, we were forced to suspend all MSF activities in the camp because of escalating security issues. Repeated shelling, our ambulances shot at, and a tightened siege that prevented us from resupplying the facilities and sending staff, made it impossible for MSF to continue working in Zamzam despite the immense needs.

Communication network with Zamzam has been shut down. We don’t have news of many of the people who worked with us and decided to remain with their relatives in the camp after the suspension of our field hospital. We’re horrified by what they have to endure, and extremely worried about them and the hundreds of thousands of people already on the brink of survival in the area. 

We were appalled to learn that 9 staff from Relief International were killed. It was the only international humanitarian organisation still operating in Zamzam.

On 12 and 13 April, our team in Tawila saw more than 10,000 people fleeing from Zamzam and nearby areas. They arrived in an advanced state of dehydration, exhaustion and stress. They have nothing but the clothes they’re wearing, nothing to eat, nothing to drink. They sleep on the ground under the trees. Several people told us about family members left behind – lost during the escape, injured or killed.

MSF set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila city, to receive the new arrivals, give them water and provide medical care. The most critical cases are referred to the local hospital we’ve been supporting since last October. We quickly distributed what we had on hand: blankets, mosquitos nets and buckets. We also screen malnutrition among newly arrived children, so they can immediately receive therapeutic food and be enrolled in our nutritional program for adequate care.”