Activists warn of famine in North Darfur’s besieged El Fasher

June 20, 2025 (EL FASHER) – Activists issued an urgent appeal on Friday to get food supplies into El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, warning of a catastrophic collapse in living conditions for residents trapped by a year-long siege.

El Fasher is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with a near-total absence of aid and basic services, soaring commodity prices, and a severe cash shortage, according to a local activist group.

The siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has blocked commercial and humanitarian convoys, has devastated living conditions. The RSF has been trying for more than a year to seize the North Darfur capital, the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in the vast Darfur region.

“In light of this critical humanitarian situation, we are launching an urgent appeal for rapid… intervention to provide basic materials and find sustainable solutions that… ensure the survival of the population,” the El Fasher Resistance Committees Coordination said in a statement received by Sudan Tribune.

The group stated that markets are suffering from severe shortages due to supply cuts. The collapse of the local currency has pushed the price of remaining goods beyond the reach of most residents, it said.

“Even with the availability of some goods, the lack of cash prevents citizens from buying, which exacerbates the humanitarian crisis,” the statement added.