Tawila, June 06 (Darfur24)
A powerful dust storm swept through displacement sites in Tawila, west of El Fasher in North Darfur State, on Friday evening, uprooting shelters and leaving hundreds of displaced families exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Witnesses reported that the storm severely reduced visibility and damaged a large number of makeshift tents, forcing many families to spend the night in the open amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
Displaced residents, particularly those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, reported experiencing breathing difficulties due to the heavy dust and sand carried by the storm. They said the lack of protective equipment and basic health services compounded their suffering.
Authorities affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nour urged residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from dust storms and sand-laden winds, especially people with respiratory conditions.
The authorities advised residents to remain indoors during dust storms, wear face masks where available, and avoid crowded gatherings, citing concerns over the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics in displacement sites across Tawila and the Jebel Marra region.
Tawila, which is under the control of the Sudan Liberation Movement, has become one of Sudan’s largest displacement hubs since the outbreak of the conflict in Darfur. The area currently hosts an estimated 665,000 displaced people, the majority of whom fled fighting and insecurity in El Fasher.