Sudan’s El Fasher siege: UN humanitarian worker killed as refugee crisis intensifies
In a new report, the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) detailed the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state.
The city has been besieged for seven months by fighters from the powerful militia known as the RSF, which has been fighting Government forces for control of Sudan since April last year. Thousands of civilians were trapped, leaving at least 782 civilians dead and more than 1,143 injured.
“The ongoing siege of El Fryer and the relentless fighting are wreaking havoc on daily life on a massive scale,” speak UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
The report, based on 52 interviews conducted in October and November with survivors who fled El Fasher, found widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas by the Support Forces. Rapid Assistance and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) – along with their allied militias.
These actions raise deep concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes.
Hospitals and camps were targeted
The report highlights attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and camps for internally displaced persons (IDP).
Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital, the last remaining public hospital in El Fasher providing reproductive health care and surgical services, has been established. was shelled many times by RSF.
Tumbasi Medical Center was similarly targeted in August, killing 23 people and injuring 60 others.
The report also records The number of incidents of sexual violence has increased since the siege beganexacerbating the suffering of vulnerable populations.
Zamzam IDP Camp, located 15 kilometers south of El Fryer and home to hundreds of thousands of displaced people, was shelled six times by the RSFis believed to have killed at least 15 civilians.
“Attacks against civilians and protected persons and objects, including medical facilities, may be considered war crimes.,” said Li Fung Representative of the UN High Commissioner in Sudan.
Risk of escalation
The situation in El Fasher remains dire, with reports warning of possible large-scale attacks on the Zamzam camp and the city itself
“Any large-scale attack on the Zamzam camp and El Fasher city would subject civilians to catastrophic suffering.”, Mr. Türk warned.
Office of Rights, OHCHRcalled on all parties – as well as the international community – to participate in reconciliation efforts and immediately end hostilities.
Families arrive at a transit center in Renk, South Sudan, after fleeing escalating violence in Sudan.
WFP staff died
World Food Program (WFP) mourns the death of three employees in Blue Nile state, killed in an aerial bombardment on December 19.
WFP Executive DirectorCindy McCain condemned the attack, calling for responsibility.
“Any loss of life in humanitarian service is unconscionable. Humanitarians are not and never have been targets“, Mrs. McCain seriously declared.
“2024 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers in Sudan. However, despite significant threats to their personal safety, They continue to do all they can to provide vital support wherever it is needed,” underline Secretary General António Guterres in a statement released by his spokesman.
Refugee crisis at the border
Meanwhile, spillovers from the war between rival armies are flooding neighboring South Sudan.
UNHCR warn that More than 80,000 people have fled to South Sudan in just three weeks, joining more than a million Sudanese refugees already there.
“The recent surge in arrivals to South Sudan is overwhelming services in the border areaMarie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, said funding for the humanitarian response remains insufficient.
Call for responsibility
The United Nations is calling for a push for reconciliation and increased international support to prevent further suffering among civilians.
Ms. Fung expressed the need for accountability and compliance with international law, especially in light of the “Jeddah Declaration of Commitment signed by both sides in May 2023”.
The OHCHR report also emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough investigation of potential war crimes and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Emergency fund for Egypt
Emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, allocated $6 million from United Nations funds Central emergency response fund (CERF) to address the humanitarian needs of refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan to Egypt, in support of the ongoing response there.
United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters on Friday that the conflict in Sudan has created the world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis.
“Of the more than three million people seeking protection across the Sudanese border since April last year, about 1.2 million people are hosted by Egypt – more than any other country – according to recent Egyptian Government data,” he told reporters at a daily briefing in New York.
