A United Nations humanitarian team has described the city of El-Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region, as a “crime scene” following its first visit in months amid ongoing conflict.
The visit revealed widespread devastation after the city was taken over by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following a prolonged siege. According to UN officials, most residents have fled, leaving behind abandoned neighbourhoods, collapsed services and civilians who are too weak, ill or elderly to escape.
Basic necessities such as food, clean water and healthcare are largely unavailable. Markets are barely functioning, with limited supplies and soaring prices, while hospitals and clinics are either damaged or non-operational. Aid workers reported that many of the remaining civilians are facing severe hunger and untreated medical conditions.
El-Fasher had previously served as a refuge for displaced people fleeing violence in other parts of Darfur. Its fall marked a major shift in the conflict, intensifying what international agencies have described as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
The fighting in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions across the country, with Darfur among the hardest-hit regions. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, with repeated warnings from humanitarian groups about rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks and protection risks.
United Nations officials say the visit was a critical step in assessing the scale of needs on the ground, but stressed that humanitarian access remains extremely limited. They have renewed calls for safe, sustained access to affected areas to allow life-saving aid to reach civilians.
As conditions continue to deteriorate, international attention remains focused on the urgent need to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Comments