On Tuesday, United Nations Resident Coordinator in SudanClementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed deep concern at reports by humanitarian aid organizations that the Zamzam camp came under heavy fire and shelling on the evening of 1 December and again on 2 December.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected under international humanitarian law and should never be targeted,” she emphasized.
According to humanitarian organizations, the shelling killed at least five people and injured 18, causing the evacuation of a hospital and the suspension of health care services at the camp located near El Fasher, the state capital. North Darfur.
Conditions at break point
Struggling under a months-long siege, Zamzam camp, home to more than half a million displaced people, has faced severe shortages of vital humanitarian supplies.
Food security experts confirmed famine in August 2024, making Zamzam the only place globally to have a famine declared this year.
“It has been 232 days since the siege of El Fryer began, which has led to unacceptable levels of human suffering,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami said.
The violence further devastated civilian infrastructure, including medical clinics and shelters, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Urgent call to action
The United Nations and humanitarian partners have strongly condemned these attacks against civilians and called for an immediate end to the violence.
“[Civilian] Ms Nkweta-Salami said protection was paramount.
United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has also called on all armed groups to always ensure safe passage for food aid to the camp.
“We have food. We have trucks. We have staff on board to ensure this aid gets to the people. Now, we need all warring parties and armed groups to allow this vital food and nutrition to reach safety,” emphasized Alex Marianelli, WFP Deputy Country Director for Operations in Sudan.
With more than 11 million people displaced across Sudan, including 5.8 million women and children, escalating violence has deepened the world’s largest displacement crisis.
The United Nations has continued to call for international attention and immediate action to address the ongoing suffering of displaced communities in Sudan.
