As the world receives the birth of its 7 billionth person, three babies, among them twins, were also born on 31 October in El Fasher Women’s Hospital, North Darfur, Sudan.

At 1130, Nahla Mohammed Ahmed, 21, saw her first son, in Arabic known as bikir. She said she is considering naming him Mohammed. Moments later Hadia Adam Ali, 27, was graced with twins, a boy and girl, each weighing about 2.5 kilograms.  They will contribute to Sudan’s population of some 33 million persons, with approximately 6 million living in Darfur’s three states.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his message on the global population reaching 7 billion:  “Some say our planet is too crowded.  I say we are seven billion strong.”

“The world has made remarkable progress since the United Nations was born 66 years ago today. We are living longer.  More of our children survive. More and more of us live at peace, under democratic rule of law,” he said, “But we will only be able to use that strength for the benefit of all if our societies are built on mutual respect and understanding.

Hadia Adam with her twins right after the delivery. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran - UNAMID