El Fasher, North Darfur, is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis that requires urgent international intervention.
At a Glance
- The UN General Assembly is calling for immediate action to end the conflict and enhance the humanitarian response in Sudan.
- The Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been in conflict for the last 17 months.
- Over 10 million people have been displaced, with more than 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries since April 2023.
- North Darfur’s Zamzam camp has confirmed cases of famine, with nearly 26 million people experiencing acute hunger.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has devastated El Fasher, North Darfur. Over 1.5 million inhabitants are facing extreme hunger, mass displacements, and escalating violence. The crisis began in April 2023, escalating rapidly and causing immense suffering for civilians. Efforts to avert further military escalation in El Fasher have failed, leading to mass violence and appalling suffering for civilians.
The United Nations General Assembly is addressing the crisis, urging immediate international intervention to end the conflict and protect civilians. The crisis includes high levels of sexual and gender-based violence, with health services decimated and diseases like cholera on the rise. Children are out of school for the second year, and humanitarian efforts are hindered by underfunding, insecurity, and restricted access.
Sudan is facing most dramatic hunger crisis in its history with famine having reached parts of North Darfur.@UNOCHA and partners are providing urgent life-saving aid but more support and unrestricted secure access is needed to sustain the response.https://t.co/wis2YQFJv2 pic.twitter.com/YQeAaxq3VT
— United Nations (@UN) September 7, 2024
Call for International Action
“We urge members of the Security Council to employ their collective leverage to help protect the population caught in the crossfire,” said Martha Pobee, U.N. assistant secretary-general for Africa. Humanitarian efforts are further hindered by inadequate global attention and support, with local cease-fires failing to provide long-term solutions. Neighboring countries, already underfunded, need urgent support to assist the rising number of Sudanese refugees seeking safety.
“People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow. Thousands of civilians have been killed, entire communities displaced and deprived of food, families scattered, children traumatized, women raped and abused. Decisive international action is urgent. We need humanitarian access to everyone in need, through all necessary routes, ramped-up funding for the response, ironclad commitments to protect civilians, and most of all, real and inclusive steps to end this ruinous war,” said Joyce Msuya.
The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan seeks $2.7 billion but is currently only 49% funded. Similarly, the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan requires $1.5 billion but is just 25% funded. Immediate financial and logistical support is critical to halt the spreading violence and provide much-needed relief to millions of Sudanese civilians.
📢 Joint statement following confirmed famine in North Darfur, Sudan: Action from the international community is urgently needed to help Sudanese people facing catastrophic food and nutrition conditions.
— Danish Refugee Council (@DRC_ngo) August 12, 2024
Unprecedented Health Crisis
The conflict in Sudan has created a severe health and humanitarian crisis, with a significant portion of the population experiencing acute hunger. North Darfur’s Zamzam camp has confirmed cases of famine, highlighting the severe food insecurity impacting nearly 26 million people. The crisis has reached levels described as the worst on Earth by humanitarian observers, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated international action to avert a generational famine.
A significant number of those displaced are children, with alarming levels of malnutrition reported. Necessary humanitarian aid and efforts for a sustainable peace must be prioritized. Immediate international intervention is essential to protect vulnerable populations and to prevent a further escalation of the humanitarian disaster in El Fasher and beyond.
