“What’s happening right now in El Fasher, in Sudan, is horrific, as people appear to be trapped, with reports of mass killing and other atrocities. Our teams are working 60 kilometers [about 37 miles] away in Tawila, where they’re seeing people starting to arrive from El Fasher. We’re finding extremely alarming levels of malnutrition among women and children, which is indicative of a famine-like situation. This is a testament to the horror unfolding in and around the city, as the RSF have attacked and besieged it for more than 500 days.

“Among all the people arriving in Tawila, we are seeing very few adult men. Given the history of ethnically targeted violence in El Fasher, we are deeply concerned about the risk of a potential bloodbath. We call for the urgent protection of all civilians, and for safe escape routes for them.”

Sylvain Pénicaud, MSF coordinator in Tawila:

“MSF teams are facing a massive influx of people fleeing away from the city. In recent days, more than 1,000 people have arrived at night after an extremely dangerous journey between El Fasher and Tawila. Many were in a state of great weakness, suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and a lot of violence-related injuries.

“Yesterday alone, our team provided medical care for approximately 250 patients directly at the health post we set up at the entrance of the town. Among them, there were a lot of children suffering from acute malnutrition, very weak pregnant and lactating women, and several dozens of people wounded by gunfire or other acts of violence. More than 150 patients had to be transferred to Tawila Hospital, including around 20 requiring lifesaving surgery.

“Already last week, more than 1,300 people fleeing El Fasher arrived by truck on the 18th and 19th of October, adding to the approximately 800,000 people already displaced in Tawila now. Among these new arrivals, our team has screened 165 children under the age of 5, and among those children, 75 percent were acutely malnourished, with more than a quarter in very severe condition.

“As of today, Tawila Hospital is overwhelmed, and our surgical team is working at full capacity. We are seeing more and more arrivals by foot and by truck, and we are expecting more in the coming hours and days.

“We remain very concerned for all of those who have not yet been able to leave El Fasher and might be trapped on the road. Many are still at risk of violence or abuse before they can reach Tawila safely.”