On Friday, the United Nations issued a grave alert about the worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in El Fasher, Sudan.
For months, the ongoing violence led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken a severe toll on civilian lives and the region’s vital infrastructure.
The Dire Impact on Civilians
The latest report from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) paints a heartbreaking picture.
Since May 2024, more than 782 civilians have been killed, with 1,143 others sustaining injuries.
Many remain trapped in the besieged city.
Eyewitness accounts collected by the OHCHR reveal that the violence is indiscriminate, with residential areas and healthcare facilities frequently coming under attack.
Families have been forced to flee from their homes due to relentless bombardments and rampant looting fueled by RSF fighters.
Throughout October and November, civilians interviewed described the hellish conditions they faced as intense fighting erupted in their neighborhoods following the conflict’s onset in April 2024.
The OHCHR’s oversight has unveiled alarming reports of individuals detained by Joint Forces at makeshift facilities, accused of collaborating with RSF.
These detainees often endure severe rights violations, including lack of communication with loved ones and denials of legal help.
Disturbing allegations of abuse have surfaced, encompassing torture, mistreatment, and even sexual violence, often motivated by ethnic discrimination.
Infrastructure and Humanitarian Losses
The impact of the conflict extends far beyond human lives, severely damaging critical infrastructure in El Fasher.
The Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital, essential for surgical and reproductive health services, has faced repeated shelling.
An especially tragic incident occurred on June 22, 2024, when an RSF shell hit the hospital’s pharmacy, resulting in the deaths of five civilians, including a pharmacist.
Additionally, the Zamzam internally displaced persons camp, which houses hundreds of thousands, has also been struck, claiming 15 lives.
In a related incident, three staff members from the World Food Program (WFP) lost their lives due to an aerial attack in Blue Nile state on Thursday.
The WFP’s executive director condemned the act, decrying the unacceptable loss of humanitarian workers’ lives.
The Refugee Crisis
The refugee crisis stemming from the violence in Sudan is rapidly worsening and has significant implications for neighboring South Sudan.
In just three weeks, over 80,000 refugees have crossed into South Sudan, joining more than a million others who have already fled there.
OHCHR officials have sounded the alarm over deteriorating conditions in border areas, attributing these issues to both the rising number of refugees and insufficient funding.
In response to the ongoing crisis, UN officials are calling on all conflict parties to cease hostilities and to guarantee unhindered access for humanitarian assistance.
The international community is urged to step up mediation efforts and uphold existing arms embargoes.
As the conflict nears its 20th month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and accountability for those committing human rights violations.
Source: Jurist