The UN has expressed deep alarm over a large-scale assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on El Fasher, the government-held capital of Sudans North Darfur State, and the nearby Abu Shouk displacement camp, which has been under siege since April 2024.
Famine wasdeclaredin the Zamzam camp in North Darfur one year ago. And since then, little has changed no aid trucks have reached the region, the nearby city of El Fasher is still under siege and food prices are four times higher than other parts of the country.
As conflict intensifies between rival militaries in Sudan, the UN humanitarian wing (OCHA) expressed alarm on Monday over mounting civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions across the country.
Mondays attack left 40 civilians dead and 19 injured within Abu Shouk, according to humanitarian partners. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the renewed violence forced at least 500 residents of the camp to flee to other parts of North Darfur.
Acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Sheldon Yett, condemned all deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians in the strongest terms.
All parties to the conflict have a clear obligation under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians, UN Spokesperson Stphane Dujarric stressed at Tuesdays daily press briefing in New York.
Displacement camps and other places of refuge for civilians must not be targeted. Andthe fact that we have to repeat this almost every day is tragic in itself.
No exit
Amid the current escalation of violence in and around El Fasher the last Government held bastion in Darfur there are also reports that exit routes from the city have been blocked and civilians are trapped under siege, cut off from safety and aid.
Mr. Yett emphasised that the immediate provision of safe and unhindered passage for those fleeing El Fasher and other areas of active hostilities is crucial.
He also reiterated the Secretary-Generals repeated calls for a humanitarian pause in and around the city to allow for the much-needed delivery of food, water, medicine and other life-saving supplies, underscoring that those trapped are facing acute hunger and starvation.
Deepening catastrophe in Kordofan
To the east in the Kordofan region, violence and displacement are still raging.
In South Kordofan State, IOM estimates 3,000 people fled the town of Kadugli between 6 and 10 August because of deepening insecurity.
Humanitarian access to the town is extremely limited, as the primary supply route is inaccessible due to active hostilities, making road access virtually nonexistent.
This humanitarian crisis is worsening an already dire economic situation and causing further shortages of vital goods.
UN humanitarians reiterate that all combatants have obligations under international humanitarian law to refrain from attacking civilians, take constant care to spare them and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to everyone in need.
