Al-fashir: A newborn girl named Yaqeen, translating to ‘Certainty,’ was brought into the world amidst a desperate escape from Al-Fashir to Al-Dabbah in the Ja’oor area. Her mother fled the violence and displacement caused by militias, holding onto the hope that divine justice would prevail.
According to Sudan News Agency, the Al-Affadh Shelter Centre in Northern State has become a refuge for survivors of militia atrocities. This shelter is home to around 360 children who await the return of their fathers, many of whom have been killed. Out of these children, 250 are of school age, while 310 are younger. At the nearby Azahri Al-Mubark Shelter Centre, nearly 1,000 condolence tents have been set up to honor the victims of what survivors describe as modern atrocities, including genocide and war crimes.
The camps are filled with widows, orphans, malnourished children, women who have suffered sexual assault, and elders, all haunted by memories of missing fathers and men. Despite the devastation left by war, young residents are actively contributing to rebuilding efforts. Field visits reveal that 85% of the camp residents are women and children aged 3 to 16, with the majority of men having fled or been killed, supporting claims of targeted ethnic cleansing.
Survivors recount perilous journeys from Al-Fashir, lasting up to 15 days, during which many succumbed to hunger, illness, or militia attacks. Arafa Abdel Karim suffered the loss of her husband and eldest son, while Afaf Abdel-Rahman described the hunger, killings, and extortion encountered at checkpoints. Abdullah Mohamed Ibrahim reported the destruction of his village’s water reservoir, ongoing detentions, and the disappearance of 11 family members.
Badria Mohamed Abdullah, traveling with nine children, gave birth to Yaqeen during the nine-day escape. Although she reached Al-Dabbah safely, her husband remains missing, underscoring the sustained human toll of displacement and militia violence in the region.