Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Breaking News: Firestorm Devastates Tigrayan IDP Center in Sudan
A devastating firestorm has struck a Tigrayan Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) center in Sudan, leaving massive destruction in its wake. The center, home to thousands of refugees who fled the genocidal war in Western Tigray and other parts of the region, was engulfed in flames early this morning, reducing much of the shelter infrastructure to ashes.
At least 20 shelters were completely destroyed, and many more were severely damaged. The fire broke out around 5:00 a.m., spreading rapidly through the overcrowded and poorly protected camp. Displaced families already traumatized by war, displacement, and years of instability were forced once again to flee for their lives, many losing what little remained of their possessions.
Survivors describe scenes of terror as the firestorm, fueled by high winds and flammable materials, tore through the camp in a matter of minutes. Parents carried children through thick smoke, while others tried desperately to save the elderly and those with disabilities. No fatalities have been officially confirmed at this time, but several individuals have sustained injuries, and hundreds are now without shelter.
Aid workers on the ground report that the camp, which hosts Tigrayan civilians displaced by the brutal war and ethnic cleansing campaigns in Tigray, lacks even the most basic firefighting infrastructure. There are growing fears of disease outbreaks and worsening conditions as the rainy season looms.
“This is not just a natural disaster it’s a continuation of the suffering these people have endured since the start of the Tigray genocide,” said one local humanitarian. “They escaped war only to find themselves exposed to new threats in an environment that cannot protect them.”
Repeated disasters including floods, sandstorms, and now fire have plagued IDP centers in areas like Um Rakuba, Hashaba, and Um Gurgur. These tragedies highlight the urgent need for immediate humanitarian intervention and long-term resettlement solutions.
Community leaders and advocates are calling on international agencies and the Ethiopian government to uphold their responsibility and accelerate safe and voluntary return processes for displaced Tigrayans before the rainy season begins.
“Our people have suffered enough,” said one Tigrayan elder in the camp. “Let them return to their homeland with dignity, safety, and the right to rebuild their lives.”
Reporting from the scene, journalist Medhiane Gidey described the aftermath as “a haunting landscape of ashes, scattered belongings, and shattered hope.”
This latest firestorm is a tragic reminder of the compounding crises faced by Tigrayan IDPs displaced by war, forgotten in exile, and now once again in desperate need of protection and justice.
Source፡ TMH
