The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to escalate as United Nations officials express deep concern over a large-scale assault on El Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur, and the nearby Abu Shouk displacement camp. The attack, reportedly executed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulted in the deaths of at least 40 civilians and injuries to 19 others in Abu Shouk alone. This latest attack exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, characterized by severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care.
Sheldon Yett, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, condemned the violence, warning of catastrophic consequences for civilians trapped under siege. He urged all parties to facilitate an immediate humanitarian pause, establish safe corridors, and grant unhindered access to aid deliveries. His plea echoes earlier alarming briefings to the UN Security Council, which described North Darfur as a “hellscape” plagued by violence, sexual assault, and targeted attacks on humanitarian workers (JURIST).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over the health impact of the ongoing siege. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted that the violence in El Fasher and the Zamzam camp has displaced more than 400,000 people. Sudan now faces one of the world’s worst hunger crises, with 24.6 million people experiencing severe food insecurity, including 770,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition.
The toll on children and aid workers has been severe. UNICEF confirmed that at least 23 children and nine aid workers were killed in El Fasher, Abu Shouk, and Zamzam camps in just a three-day period. More than 140 children have been killed or maimed in El Fasher alone in recent months. UNICEF continues to call for urgent protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access.
International condemnation has come from the G7 Foreign Ministers, who denounced the RSF’s attacks on displacement camps and emphasized the necessity of protecting civilians. They highlighted the urgent need for all parties to respect international law and enable humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.
As the siege tightens, UN agencies and humanitarian partners warn that without immediate and sustained access, conditions in El Fasher could deteriorate further, leaving civilians, especially children, vulnerable to starvation, disease, and indiscriminate violence (Al Jazeera).