Photo: Rebecca V. Winter on Facebook
ASHLAND, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Massachusetts mother and her infant daughter who were trapped in war-torn Sudan for several days have been safely evacuated from the country, her family said Tuesday.
Trillian Clifford, of Ashland, teaches at an international school in Sudan's capital city of Khartoum. She was one of several foreign nationals trapped as a result of fighting that broke out April 15 between the Sudanese armed forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.
Clifford's sister-in-law, Rebecca Winter, said in a Facebook post that Clifford and her daughter are now safely out of Sudan.
"We are thrilled to share that today Trillian and her baby, Alma, have safely crossed the border out of Sudan," Winter said Tuesday. "Trillian, Alma, and all of the foreign nationals from her school are traveling together as private citizens. It will still be several days before we expect she will reach US soil."
Winter expressed her families gratitude to Clifford's school for organizing the evacuation, the help the offices of Governor Maura Healey and Senator Elizabeth Warren have provided along with local embassies, the media's handling of the story, and the outpouring of support on social media.
She also acknowledged the Sudanese natives and foreign nationals still trapped in the violence.
"While we are relieved that Trillian is finally making progress on her journey back home, we want to acknowledge there are millions of people still suffering through this conflict in Sudan and many foreign nationals still trying to evacuate," Winter said. "We extend our deepest concern for the innocent citizens of Sudan, including Trillian’s young students."
"Trillian has been in touch today, and she also extends her gratitude for all of the aid and support she has received. She has asked that her and Alma’s privacy be respected when she returns to the States. This has been an extremely traumatic experience, and she needs time to process and get back on her feet," the post concluded.
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