In brief
In the midst of Sudan's ongoing civil conflict, Alawia Babiker Ahmed shares her harrowing experience of losing a baby during her flight from el-Fasher to Tawila, where she and her family faced violence and starvation. As they navigated treacherous conditions and encountered heart-wrenching loss, their resilience shines through amidst relentless turmoil.
In the heart of Sudan's western Darfur region, a heartbreaking story unfolds, emblematic of the plight faced by many amid the ongoing civil war. Alawia Babiker Ahmed, just 19 years old, experienced the profound trauma of a miscarriage during her desperate flight from el-Fasher to the small town of Tawila, covering approximately 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) over three harrowing days. "I was bleeding on the way," Alawia recounted to the BBC, though she shared she had witnessed even more severe suffering around her.As the conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Darfur has become one of the most severely impacted regions, with over 12 million individuals fleeing their homes. While the RSF has controlled most of Darfur, el-Fasher remains under army control, intensifying violence as bombardments escalate in a bid to seize the city. Alongside her family, Alawia fled as conditions grew dire, encountering an infant abandoned by a deceased mother on the roadside. "We covered the mother and kept going," she recalled as she took the child under her care.Alawia's brother, Marwan Mohamed Adam, 21, detailed their perilous journey, during which he was assaulted by RSF-aligned gangs that left him bruised and robbed of his meager belongings. The trauma of violence was palpable, with Marwan sharing, "You feel fear, you feel like you are already dead," having seen three bodies along their escape route.Painful losses were shared by other fleeing families too, like Khadija Ismail Ali, whose family endured devastating shelling that claimed 11 lives, including the deaths of three children from thirst on the same journey. The situation has prompted medical charities like Alima to sound alarms over rising levels of severe malnutrition among the displaced.Desperation led Alawia and her family to search for water, only to face further violence from RSF fighters, who confiscated their limited cash and belongings while denying access to vital resources. However, through sheer determination, they persevered until reaching Tawila. Alawia collapsed upon arrival and required medical attention to recover from the ordeal.Now living with newfound relatives, Alawia expressed concern over their uncertain future, while Marwan dreams of pursuing education abroad to build a new life. The stories of these resilient individuals reflect the broader tragedy of millions of Sudanese caught in a conflict that shows no signs of resolution, demonstrating both the hardships they endure and the unwavering spirit that drives them forward.
