The United Nations (UN) has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in El Fasher, Sudan, which has been besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for several months. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) highlighted in its report that the siege has led to significant civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure. Over 782 civilians have been killed and 1,143 injured since May 2024, as the conflict has intensified.
Testimonies described in the OHCHR report detail a grim scene in El Fasher, where indiscriminate attacks have targeted residential areas and healthcare facilities. Notably, the Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital, essential for surgical and reproductive health services, suffered repeated shelling by the RSF. An attack on June 22, 2024, which struck the hospital pharmacy, resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a pharmacist.
The humanitarian crisis is further amplified by the detention of civilians by Joint Forces without due process, with reported cases of torture, ill-treatment, and ethnic violence. Additionally, the conflict has exacerbated displacement, severely impacting the Zamzam IDP camp, which houses hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. The escalating violence has also led to the tragic loss of life beyond El Fasher, as seen in the aerial bombardment that killed three World Food Programme (WFP) staff members in Blue Nile state, an attack condemned by WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
This situation has implications beyond Sudan’s borders, with neighboring South Sudan receiving over 80,000 new refugees in just three weeks. This influx stresses existing resources, as South Sudan already hosts more than one million displaced individuals. The OHCHR emphasizes that this growing refugee crisis could worsen due to inadequate funding and resources.
UN officials have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for unimpeded humanitarian access and urged the international community to strengthen mediation efforts and enforce arms embargoes. As Sudan’s conflict continues into its 20th month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed calls for a ceasefire and accountability for the violations occurring on the ground.