Crisis Deepens in El Fasher, Sudan: Famine Looms as Civilians Face Intentional Attacks
Table of Contents
The situation in El Fasher, North darfur, Sudan, is reaching catastrophic levels, with hundreds of thousands of civilians facing famine-like conditions after over 500 days under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Repeated attacks on civilians, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and UNICEF are urgently calling for a ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and accountability for those responsible for the escalating violence.
Siege and Widespread Famine
El fasher has been under siege by the RSF as april 2023, severely restricting access to essential resources. Civilians are facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical care, with conditions deteriorating rapidly. Multiple areas within North Darfur are already experiencing famine, according to recent reports.
The food security and nutritional status of children are particularly alarming. Severe acute malnutrition rates are soaring, and health facilities report a rise in preventable deaths linked to hunger and disease. Families are struggling to survive on minimal rations, and the disruption of supply routes, coupled with the looting of aid convoys, has rendered sustained relief efforts nearly impossible. A recent report by the World food Program (WFP) highlights that Sudan is facing its largest hunger crisis on record, with over 18 million peopel – a third of the population – facing acute hunger https://www.wfp.org/countries/sudan.
Deliberate Targeting of Civilians Condemned
On Sunday, Denise Brown, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in sudan, strongly condemned the repeated and deliberate targeting of civilians in North Darfur. In a statement released on May 12, 2024, Ms. Brown emphasized that hospitals, shelters, and places of refuge are protected under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/sudan/north-darfur-deliberate-targeting-civilians-must-stop-statement-united-nations-resident-and-humanitarian-coordinator-sudan-denise-brown.
She reiterated her appeal for respect for international humanitarian law and an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Ms. Brown also called for thorough, impartial investigations into these incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable. The UN has repeatedly warned that the conflict in Sudan risks triggering a humanitarian catastrophe of immense scale.
Background: The Sudan Conflict
The current conflict in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group.The fighting has concentrated in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, displacing millions of people both within Sudan and across its borders. The conflict stems from a power struggle between SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (hemedti). The ongoing violence has severely impacted Sudan’s already fragile economy and infrastructure, pushing the country to the brink of collapse.
Key takeaways:
* Famine Risk: Multiple areas in North Darfur are experiencing famine, with severe acute malnutrition rates rising rapidly among children.
* Siege of el fasher: The city of El Fasher has been under siege by the RSF for over 500 days, restricting access to essential resources.
* targeting of civilians: The UN condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians,hospitals,and shelters in North Darfur.
* Humanitarian Crisis: Sudan is facing its largest hunger crisis on record, with over 18 million people facing acute hunger.
* Call for Action: The UN is calling for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and accountability for perpetrators of violence.
What is the RSF?
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a Sudanese paramilitary group that gained prominence during the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s. Originally known as the Janjaweed militia, accused of widespread atrocities, the RSF evolved into a powerful force within Sudan’s security apparatus. They have been involved in various conflicts and are now a key player in the current civil war, controlling critically importent territory and resources.
The situation in El Fasher and North Darfur remains incredibly precarious. Without an immediate ceasefire and a significant increase in humanitarian access, the risk of widespread famine and further loss of life is extremely
Related reading