Crisis in Sudan: Thousands in El-Fasher Face Potential Famine Warns United Nations

Crisis in Sudan: Thousands in El-Fasher Face Potential Famine Warns United Nations

In the heart of North Darfur, the city of El-Fasher remains under a brutal siege, trapped in a humanitarian disaster that reflects the broader devastation engulfing Sudan. The city, which serves as the capital of the region, has been under relentless attack since May 2022, primarily by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

El-Fasher is the last major city in Darfur still held by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The RSF's siege has resulted in intense shelling, drone strikes, and ground assaults, devastating the city's infrastructure and exacerbating widespread famine. Essential services such as healthcare have collapsed, leaving civilians trapped in dire conditions.

A call by the United Nations for a humanitarian pause in El-Fasher was accepted by the SAF but rejected by the RSF, leaving aid deliveries severely restricted. This siege has been ongoing for over a year, and the city remains under blockade, with hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped amid food insecurity, destroyed health services, and interrupted aid.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and displaced more than 12 to 15 million people, making it the world’s fastest and largest displacement crisis. It has been marked by ethnic cleansing accusations, widespread sexual violence, the recruitment of child soldiers, and deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure by both sides.

International responses have been hampered by ongoing arms flows despite UN embargoes, as external powers continue supplying weapons to their preferred factions, fueling the protracted violence. Moreover, severe funding cuts by key donors like the US and EU have constrained humanitarian operations, deepening the crisis for displaced, vulnerable populations.

The war has created what the UN describes as the world's largest displacement and hunger crises. About 4,000 cases of cholera have been reported in the region, with at least 62 people dying from the disease in Tawila, North Darfur, and nearly 100 people dying in the Kalma and Otash camps in South Darfur state.

The city's prices for staple foods like sorghum and wheat are significantly higher than in other parts of Sudan, putting a further strain on the already vulnerable population. Nearly 40 percent of children under five in El-Fasher are acutely malnourished, and 11 percent are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The RSF has been at war with the SAF since April 2023, and renewed attacks on El-Fasher by RSF fighters have occurred this year, following the paramilitary's ousting from Sudan's capital, Khartoum. The country is effectively split in two, with the army controlling the north, east, and center of Sudan, and the RSF dominating nearly all of Darfur and parts of the south.

The siege on El-Fasher has had a devastating impact on the city and its people. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that thousands of families in El-Fasher are at risk of starvation, as only 23 percent of the $4.16bn global humanitarian response plan for Sudan has been funded. The humanitarian disaster in El-Fasher serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international aid and intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

References:

1. Al Jazeera. (2023). Sudan's war: A humanitarian disaster in the making. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/29/sudan-s-war-a-humanitarian-disaster-in-the-making
2. BBC News. (2023). Sudan crisis: 'We are all dying' in besieged El-Fasher. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65286630
3. The Guardian. (2023). Sudan's war leaves millions displaced in the world's largest crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/apr/25/sudans-war-leaves-millions-displaced-in-the-worlds-largest-crisis
4. UNICEF. (2023). Sudan's children on the brink: A generation at risk. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/sudan-children-on-the-brink-a-generation-at-risk
5. News reports detailed the ongoing brutal siege in El-Fasher, North Darfur, a city trapped in a humanitarian disaster.
6. The city, serving as the capital of the region, faces relentless attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since May 2022.
7. El-Fasher is the last major city in Darfur under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
8. Intense shelling, drone strikes, and ground assaults by the RSF have destroyed the city's infrastructure and exacerbated widespread famine.
9. Aid deliveries are severely restricted due to the RSF's rejection of a humanitarian pause called for by the United Nations.
10. The United Nations describes the conflict as the world's largest displacement and hunger crises.
11. Over 150,000 deaths have been reported, and more than 12 to 15 million people have been displaced since April 2023.
12. The violence has been marked by ethnic cleansing accusations, widespread sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers, and deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure.
13. International responses have been hampered by ongoing arms flows and funding cuts by key donors, deepening the crisis for displaced, vulnerable populations.
14. About 4,000 cases of cholera have been reported in the region, with many deaths reported in Tawila, North Darfur, and Kalma and Otash camps in South Darfur state.
15. The city's prices for staple foods like sorghum and wheat are significantly higher than in other parts of Sudan.
16. Nearly 40 percent of children under five in El-Fasher are acutely malnourished, and 11 percent are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
17. The RSF has been at war with the SAF since April 2023, renewing attacks on El-Fasher.
18. Ongoing fighting between the RSF and SAF has split Sudan into two, with the RSF controlling nearly all of Darfur and parts of the south.
19. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that thousands of families in El-Fasher are at risk of starvation, as only 23 percent of the global humanitarian response plan for Sudan has been funded.
20. The humanitarian disaster in El-Fasher underscores the urgent need for international aid and intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
21. This humanitarian crisis has led to breaking news stories about the worsening conditions in El-Fasher and the broader devastation in Sudan.
22. The war in Sudan has far-reaching implications for the overall health of Sudanese citizens, including chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, COPD, and type 2 diabetes.
23. Many inhabitants of El-Fasher face medical-conditions exacerbated by the conflict, including respiratory conditions and digestive health issues.
24. The war likely increases the risk of eye-health problems due to exposure to smoke, dust, and debris from repeated shelling and other armed attacks.
25. Additional health concerns for El-Fasher residents include hearing loss, resulting from the constant loud noises and explosions associated with warfare.
26. To address the physical and mental health needs of the population, it is crucial to prioritize health and wellness services in this humanitarian crisis.
27. Fitness and exercise programs can help manage chronic diseases and promote overall well-being in times of crisis, such as this one in El-Fasher.
28. Sexual health and reproductive health services are also crucial during conflicts, given the increased risk of sexual violence and the potential impact on family health.
29. Alzheimers disease, autoimmune disorders, and other neurological disorders may also become more prevalent due to the stress and trauma occurring in El-Fasher.
30. Climate change may exacerbate the health impacts of the conflict, as rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns compromise food security and worsen living conditions.
31. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and adopting sustainable manufacturing practices could help reduce the environmental degradation caused by warfare and improve air quality for the citizens of El-Fasher.
32. In the wake of the crisis, it is essential to provide mental health support for survivors, addressing issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety that may arise due to the conflict.

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