Humans of Al Fasher

For more than 1,000 days, the war in Sudan has caused immense suffering for millions of children and families.

Across the country, at least 9.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes, while more than half of the population now depends on humanitarian assistance to survive – turning Sudan into the largest child displacement and humanitarian emergency in the world.

In the city of Al Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region, spiraling violence, the collapse of essential services and unimaginable conditions have forced many families to flee.

Many have found shelter in towns such as Tawila, Golo and Rokero, where they have arrived exhausted, hungry and malnourished after days on the road. 

But even as they have grappled with their own upheaval and uncertainty, with worlds turned upside down, frontline workers, UNICEF staff and partners are greeting those arriving with extraordinary compassion and care – volunteering, treating the wounded, counselling those who are emotionally distressed, providing medical treatment.

Mothers and fathers are supporting other parents who have no one else to turn to for support. They are holding the hands of unaccompanied children as they make them their arduous children after being separated from their loved ones. Grandmothers and mothers are sharing the little they have so another family can survive.

These everyday examples of displaced families supporting others despite their own circumstances reflect enormous kindness, solidarity and resilience – and are a reminder that even during this devastating war, humanity remains.

As families continue to seek for safety from the violence back home, UNICEF spoke with five of those people:

Fadeela

Many families fleeing from Al Fasher have sought refuge in Golo, Central Darfur. At a health and nutrition facility, Fadeela, a nutritionist, cradles her baby in one arm, while attending to mothers and children waiting for lifesaving services. Every day, Fadeela walks for over 45 minutes to the facility to provide nutrition care and support for displaced families. 

As a mother herself, Fadeela is determined to continue supporting other mothers nurturing their children, despite the enormous challenges. 

“I always imagine if it was my daughter who needed life-saving help.”

Alawiya

Alawiya, a teacher and mother of four, fled the violence in Al Fasher and arrived in Rokero with just a few belongings. The family lived on the streets before finding shelter in a school. Now, Alawiya teaches at the school during the day, and sleeps there at night.

“I sleep in the classroom and go out early in the morning to drink tea, change my clothes and return to teach,” she says.

Awaliya shares the daily struggles of displacement with the children and families around. “It’s painful for us. But we comfort each other.”

Latifa

Latifa had been displaced multiple times before arriving in Tawila four months ago. Since then, she has been volunteering at a UNICEF safe learning space, supporting children affected by the conflict.

Every day Latifa witnesses fear, trauma, loss and pain through the eyes of the children she supports. But she is motivated that her daily support contributes to their recovery journey. 

The short time they spend at the safe learning space gives them joy and happiness.

“They have so many memories of violence. They need support and things that remind them of their childhood like games and toys. They change completely after coming here.”

Having lived through loss and displacement, Latifa understands the children’s pain and vows to create a safe space where children can share, play, create new bonds and heal in the process.

Amina

Amina describes her harrowing displacement journey.

“Many children died on the way. I met a pregnant mother who had four children. She arrived with only the one still inside her,” she says.

This experience motivated Amina to continue working as a midwife, supporting mothers to deliver their babies safely.

“I still have something to give even after losing everything,” she says.

At the health facility, Amina offers antenatal and postnatal care services, supports safe deliveries, conducts nutrition awareness sessions and ensures pregnant and lactating women receive essential medicines and vitamins.

But she also worries about the conditions in the camps that they return to.

“The crowded shelters and cold nights pose serious risks to newborns.”

At the end of each day, Amina walks home to her own children, sharing the same uncertainties as the families she serves. Yet each morning, she returns. Amid loss and displacement, Amina is not just delivering babies, but also health and hope.

Mahla

Mahla works as a social worker at a safe space established to provide specialized services for women and girls affected by the conflict.

Displaced herself, Mahla has witnessed and lived the suffering displaced families endure daily.

At the safe space she spends time with women and girls providing psychosocial support through individual and group counselling sessions.

“I cannot describe the difference this place makes for women, girls and children,” Mahla says. “This is where they feel seen, heard and safe. The women and girls treat each other like sisters.”

For Mahla, this is not work, it is healing. 

“Together we help each other to heal.”

For a conflict that has spanned years and scarred millions, it is people like Fadeela, Alawiya, Latifa, Amina, and Mahla who continue to make life bearable amidst daily struggles. Even after losing everything, they are restoring hope, saving newborns, treating the sick, creating new routines for children, reopening classrooms and healing emotional wounds. 

They are the #HumansofAlFasher whose daily acts of kindness and humanity exhibit the strength, compassion, resilience and determination the families in Sudan need to rebuild lives as they await peace and the day they will finally return home.