Serving Displaced Families After the Fall of El Fasher

When El Fasher fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), families fled with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. 

The city had been the last major urban center in Darfur, Sudan not under militia control. Its fall marked a devastating escalation of violence against civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minorities, forcing families to flee through the desert—many injured, starving, and deeply traumatized. 

Displaced and in Crisis 

In November 2025, hundreds of internally displaced people (IDPs) from El Fasher arrived in nearby towns with no shelter, food, or medical care. Most had lost everything. 

Children showed signs of severe malnutrition. Many adults suffered untreated injuries from the fighting, including gunshot wounds. Poor sanitation and exposure led to widespread illness. Among the most vulnerable were Christian children who had lost both parents and were left without basic necessities. 

Shai Fund’s Emergency Response 

Through its trusted local church networks, Shai Fund rapidly coordinated an emergency relief response to support hundreds of newly displaced families from El Fasher. 

Emergency distributions included: 

• Food packages to address acute hunger for 150 families.
• Shelter materials, including tarpaulins and sleeping mats for high-priority 150 families and vulnerable groups.
• Essential non-food items, such as blankets to 150 families with children and the elderly. 

These supplies provided immediate, life-saving support to families and the most vulnerable—widows, orphaned children, the injured, and the elderly—ensuring aid reached those with the greatest need. 

Bearing Witness in the Midst of Trauma 

The IDPs Shai Fund served represent a deeply traumatized population. Many had witnessed killings, lost family members, or survived days without food or water while fleeing El Fasher. 

Yet even in the depths of despair, neighbors continued to serve displaced communities offering food, care, and dignity in a place marked by loss. 

The need remains overwhelming. Food insecurity is ongoing. Medical care is scarce. Clothing, shelter, and sustained support are urgently required to prevent further loss of life. 

Standing With Darfur 

The fall of El Fasher is not the end of this story—but it is a critical moment. 

Shai Fund remains committed to standing with the displaced in Darfur, supporting locals who are serving as first responders amid one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.