Humanitarian situation in El Fasher “increasingly dire”: UN
May 28, 2024 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of an “increasingly dire” humanitarian situation in El Fasher, as fighting intensifies in North Darfur.
Ongoing clashes between Sudan’s rival forces, OCHA said, have left many parts of the city without electricity and water, while a large segment of the population lacks access to basic necessities, including food as well as healthcare services.
The UN agency hinted on worrying reports that medical facilities, displacement camps and critical civilian infrastructure have been impacted by the hostilities.
About 58,000 people, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, have been displaced from El Fasher since 1 April and many more civilians, including children and older people experiencing difficulties to access safe areas.
OCHA urges the parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, allow the safe passage of civilians and humanitarian aid, and stop the fighting.
A situational report from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said an estimated 505,000 people have been displaced due to recent clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher city of North Darfur.
The displaced are from Tawila and Kutum, eastern and northern areas of El Fasher.
The statement highlighted that El-Fasher currently hosts 187,000 displaced persons in severely overcrowded shelters, with the city’s population estimated at around one million, including 40,000 pregnant women. Among these women, however, 6,000 are experiencing high-risk pregnancies requiring advanced care.
Other reports indicate that El-Fasher is home to 2.8 million people, including 800,000 displaced individuals. There are serious concerns about severe human rights violations should the paramilitary RSF manage to seize control of the city.
El-Fasher has witnessed fierce battles between rival forces, accompanied by aerial and artillery bombardments. This has reportedly exacerbated food security issues for residents, who face searches and imposed fees as they attempt to flee.
(ST)