March 10, 2026 | North Darfur
The health situation in Tawila locality, North Darfur State, is alarmingly deteriorating due to dire humanitarian conditions and inadequate medical services. According to local sources cited by the Sudan Rights Watch Network, at least 15 cases of tuberculosis have been recorded in the area. Patients face significant difficulties accessing treatment due to the remoteness of health facilities, shortages of medicine, and the challenges of travel given the current security situation. Some patients have been forced to travel to Rokero and Nyala to receive treatment.
In a related development, women from El Fasher reported to the network’s field sources that the city has been subjected to widespread looting. According to their testimonies, the looting occurs in two phases: the first during daylight hours, carried out by civilians from areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the second by RSF members themselves. The testimonies indicate that the stolen goods are transported and sold in the Mellit and Tabit markets, with some also being taken to Nyala. In Tawila locality, cases of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections have emerged among victims of sexual violence and rape fleeing El Fasher. Additionally, cases of hepatitis have been detected, likely linked to unsafe blood transfusions or childbirth complications.
Local sources told the network that health authorities affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) have instructed them not to disclose these cases. With the absence of medical oversight and weak health monitoring systems, there are fears that this situation will lead to a wider spread of diseases in the area.
On the security front, the town of Al-Hara, located approximately 30 kilometers north of Kabkabiya, was bombed by a Sudanese army drone. The attack resulted in numerous casualties, with Kabkabiya Rural Hospital receiving more than 23 wounded. The bombing also caused unidentified bodies to be burned, and several residents are missing. A large number of shops in the town were also destroyed by the airstrike. In Mellit locality, there has been a marked increase in armed robberies and kidnappings of traders for ransom, believed to be carried out by elements affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces. This has led to widespread fear and economic instability, prompting many traders to close their shops and leave the area. North Darfur State, particularly Tawila locality, is also experiencing a sharp rise in fuel prices, exacerbating the suffering of residents and negatively impacting transportation and access to basic services.
Another alarming development is the reported sexual exploitation of South Sudanese refugee girls, aged 10 to 13. According to sources, these girls are being exploited for meager sums of money, ranging from 5 to 8 Sudanese pounds. If they refuse, they are beaten and coerced. This situation is attributed to the vulnerability of refugees living near these groups, making them susceptible to exploitation. According to local sources close to the network, contact has been made with partners of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who are expected to visit the Tawila area in the coming days to investigate these violations, particularly the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) section. The sources indicated that the refugees lack the influence and ability to file complaints with local authorities.
Policy Recommendations:
In light of these findings, the Network recommends the following:
First: To the Sudanese authorities and all parties to the conflict:
- Immediately cease attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including aerial bombardments and attacks targeting villages, markets, and health facilities, and fully adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality.
- Protect the civilian population in towns and villages, prevent the systematic looting of public and private property, and hold those responsible for these violations accountable.
- Guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access for humanitarian and medical organizations to conflict-affected areas, especially in the localities of Tawila, Kabkabiya, and Mellit.
- Conduct independent and transparent investigations into all reported violations, including acts of looting, bombings resulting in civilian casualties, and crimes of sexual violence and exploitation.
- Strengthen health surveillance and epidemiological monitoring systems and ensure transparency regarding outbreaks of infectious diseases to guarantee a rapid medical response and prevent their spread.
Second: To local health authorities and entities with effective control on the ground:
- Strengthen emergency healthcare services in affected areas, including the provision of medications for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
- Establish urgent testing and treatment programs for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and hepatitis, while ensuring confidentiality and protecting victims from social stigma.
- Provide integrated services for survivors of sexual violence, including urgent medical care, psychosocial support, and referral to protection services.
- Improve blood transfusion and obstetric care services to ensure their safety and reduce the transmission of diseases associated with unsafe medical procedures.
Third: To UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations:
- Strengthen the urgent humanitarian response in North Darfur, particularly in the areas of health, protection, and food security, with a focus on internally displaced and refugee communities.
- Deploy mobile medical teams to reach areas with severe shortages of health services, such as Tawila locality and surrounding areas. 3. Strengthen the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) mechanisms and ensure the prompt investigation of allegations of sexual exploitation of refugee girls.
- Provide specialized protection programs for refugee children and girls, including the establishment of safe spaces and mechanisms for reporting violations.
- Support independent documentation and monitoring mechanisms for health and humanitarian violations in Darfur to ensure accountability and promote an evidence-based response.
Fourth: To the International Community and Regional Mechanisms:
- Increase diplomatic pressure on the parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
- Enhance financial and logistical support for the humanitarian response in Darfur, particularly in the health sector and the protection of internally displaced persons and refugees.
- Support international investigation and accountability mechanisms regarding serious violations committed against civilians in Sudan.
- Expand protection programs for refugees and internally displaced persons, with particular attention to protecting children and girls from violence and sexual exploitation.
Sudan Rights Watch Network
March 10, 2026