The Humanitarian Crisis in El Fasher: A Deepening Catastrophe

The city of El Fasher in North Darfur is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensify their attacks. According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the number of displaced individuals fleeing El Fasher has surged, with many arriving in Tawila in critical condition. Romain Madjissembaye, MSF's project manager, reported that the besieged city has been cut off from essential supplies for over 500 days, leading to dire conditions where residents are reportedly resorting to consuming animal feed to survive. The RSF's blockade has severely restricted access to food, medicine, and safe passage, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.

Sudan’s civil war has faded from the headlines, but monitors say it is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis

The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has resulted in over 12 million people being displaced and approximately 25 million facing acute hunger, according to the United Nations. The RSF's recent drone attacks on civilian targets, including a mosque that killed over 70 people, have drawn international condemnation. Local resistance committees have described El Fasher as an "open morgue," highlighting the indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, including markets and hospitals.

Sudan’s civil war has faded from the headlines, but monitors say it is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis

International organizations, including UNICEF, have characterized the situation as a "devastating tragedy," particularly for children who are starving amid the ongoing violence. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian access, stating that blocking aid is a grave violation of children's rights. The Sudan Doctors Network has also condemned the RSF for directly bombing hospitals, calling for immediate action from the international community to protect health facilities and civilians.

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Critics of the RSF, including various civil society organizations, have accused the group of using starvation as a weapon of war. Reports indicate that the RSF has constructed earthen walls around El Fasher to systematically block humanitarian aid. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) has called for the RSF to be designated a terrorist organization, citing their ongoing atrocities as reminiscent of past genocidal actions in Darfur.

Al Jazeera (website)

While the RSF has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including sexual violence and indiscriminate killings, there are conflicting reports regarding the scale of the violence and the number of casualties. The Sudanese army claims to have regained control of key military sites in El Fasher, while local reports indicate that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with communal kitchens shutting down due to lack of supplies.

Dozens of dead and injured in a bombing of a paramilitary group in a refugee camp in Sudan

• “The situation became very, very complicated,” — Romain Madjissembaye, MSF Project Manager

Sudan’s civil war has faded from the headlines, but monitors say it is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis

• “We are witnessing a devastating tragedy – children in Al Fasher are starving while UNICEF’s lifesaving nutrition services are being blocked,” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

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As the conflict continues, international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access are growing. The United Nations has extended its fact-finding mission in Sudan, emphasizing the need for accountability for ongoing human rights violations. The situation in El Fasher remains critical, with humanitarian organizations urging immediate action to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the conflict.

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