Nonviolent Peaceforce Warns of Civilian Catastrophe in Sudan’s El Fasher
TAWILA, SUDAN - 28 October 2025: Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is demanding urgent, global action to end the unfolding civilian catastrophe in and around Sudan’s El Fasher, North Darfur, where intense fighting and widespread violence have left tens of thousands of civilians trapped, displaced, injured and separated from their families in addition to an untold number of deaths. People who have been able to escape report grave humanitarian conditions and provide alarming accounts of mass atrocities. There is growing evidence consistent with mass executions, ethnic cleansing, and satellite imagery showing bodies on the ground and civilians fleeing under siege conditions.
NP’s teams on the ground describe an extremely dire situation as families flee in every direction, many arriving in nearby towns such as Tawila severely injured, traumatised, and without access to water, food, or medical care. “The scenes our teams are witnessing are among the most harrowing in recent memory,” said Nic Pyatt, NP’s Regional Director. “Entire families are being torn apart as they flee without any means to survive. Continuing to look away while people die trying to reach safety is unacceptable.”
Tawila has experienced a rapid surge in new arrivals, most of whom are women, children, and elderly people. Local communities, already hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians, have reached the breaking point, and essential supplies such as food, water, and shelter are nearly depleted. “What we’re seeing on the ground is complete exhaustion—both of people and of the few services still functioning,” said Chris Ogbonna, NP’s Head of Programmes in Sudan. “Children are arriving alone, often too weak to even stand on their feet. Humanitarian access must be urgently restored, and international action is needed now to prevent further loss of life.”
The ongoing collapse of communications and increasing insecurity have turned North Darfur into an information blackout, obstructing both community-led responses and international humanitarian efforts. NP is calling on governments to urgently increase diplomatic pressure, establish safe humanitarian corridors, and mobilise life-saving aid for civilians.. “Every hour matters,” added Pyatt. “A preventable human tragedy is unfolding before the world’s eyes.. Global leaders must move quickly to prevent further atrocities and save lives.”
NP stands in solidarity with the Sudanese civilians, civil society actors, and humanitarian networks who continue to operate under fire in North Darfur, delivering last-mile aid despite mounting security risks. We urge global attention and resources to reach affected civilians before conditions become irreversible.
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Media contact: Mahmoud Shabeeb, Global Media Advisor - [email protected]