Mass. mother, young daughter safely evacuated from war-torn Sudan, family says

ASHLAND, Mass. — A Massachusetts mother and her young daughter who were trapped in war-torn Sudan have since been safely evacuated from that country, her family said Tuesday.

Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, works as a teacher at an international school in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum. Her sister-in-law, Rebecca Winter, said in a statement that Clifford and her daughter are among several foreign nationals who have been evacuated.

“We are thrilled to share that today Trillian and her baby, Alma, have safely crossed the border out of Sudan,” Winter said. “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 said Clifford and her 18-month-old daughter, Alma, had been hiding out for about 10 days as Sudanese armed forces and the rival paramilitary force continue to clash in Khartoum.

Sudan has been in a political crisis since its long-serving ruler was overthrown in April 2019, the BBC reported. In 2021, rival generals joined forces to seize power in a coup, the Associated Press reported.

The AP reported that foreign governments have been airlifting hundreds of their diplomats and other citizens to safety.

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Mass. mother, young daughter safely evacuated from war-torn Sudan, family says Trillian Clifford, a native of Ashland, Massachusetts, and her 18-month-old daughter, Alma, have been evacuated from war-torn Sudan, her family said. Clifford works as a teacher at an international school in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum. (Rebecca Winter)

Winter said the family is grateful for the outpouring of support during this chaotic time.

“We want to express extreme gratitude to Trillian’s school for organizing this evacuation, and for the help that Elizabeth Warren and Maura Healey’s offices have provided along with the local embassies,” Winter said. “We are also incredibly grateful for the respectful way the media has handled our story, and for the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends and commenters on social media.”

She said Winter and her daughter are among the lucky ones to evacuate from the war zone.

“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.”

For security reasons, Winter said she could not share specifics about their journey home, but added that Clifford is grateful to be safe.

“Trillian has been in touch today, and she also extends her gratitude for all of the aid and support she has received,” Winter said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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