Returnees in Tawila Locality of Sudan’s North Darfur State are complaining about a severe shortage of food after their return to the area following the fighting in June.

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Tawila in June caused the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. The conflict in the country has displaced more than 5.6 million people within and outside Sudan, according to recent UN estimates.

Tawila is located 65 kilometers west of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State.

Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Adam, a community leader in Tawila Locality, told Radio Tamazuj Saturday that nearly 7,000 returnees are facing a dire shortage of food and other essential services.

Adam stated that the security situation in the locality is relatively stable and that no fighting has occurred since they returned to the area recently. “The winter season has begun in the locality, but the scarcity of food supplies may affect everything. So, we are appealing to humanitarian organizations to urgently deliver food and tents because the area was burned down during the fighting,” he explained.

The community leader also called on humanitarian organizations and the relevant authorities to provide medicines and essential services so that citizens can start farming when the cultivation season begins.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Musa, a youth leader in the Tawila locality, said mothers and children are suffering from the harsh living conditions due to the lack of food and medicines.

“The number of the returnees exceeds 7,000 returnees. We desperately need humanitarian aid, especially food, shelter, tents, and medicines. Some farmers also need support so that the area becomes stable to encourage the rest to return,” he added.

A recent report by humanitarian organizations and the State Humanitarian Aid Commission that visited Tawila Locality last month showed the need for emergency aid after the conflict.