Humanitarian Crisis in El-Fasher, Sudan
A recent report from the Sudan Doctors Network highlights a critical humanitarian crisis in the city of el-Fasher, where 23 individuals died due to malnutrition in September. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary forces continues to worsen the situation in the Darfur region.
Impact on Civilians
The Sudan Doctors Network reported that among the deceased were children and five pregnant women, though exact numbers of affected children were not specified. El-Fasher remains a key military stronghold amidst intensified fighting, with civilians facing significant threats, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
The organization described the siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a systematic violation of human rights, targeting civilians by depriving them of essential resources. This situation has been classified as a potential war crime under international law. The network criticized international entities, including the United Nations, for inadequate intervention in the crisis.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Needs
The conflict, which escalated into a civil war in April 2023, has resulted in at least 40,000 deaths and displaced approximately 12 million people, as per United Nations data. Currently, over 24 million people in the region are experiencing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Program.
Health and Nutrition Challenges
UNICEF reported that since January, more than 10,000 children in el-Fasher have received treatment for severe acute malnutrition, a significant increase from last year. In a single week, 63 individuals, primarily women and children, succumbed to malnutrition.
The siege has disrupted supply lines, severely affecting health services and mobile nutrition teams, leaving approximately 6,000 children without access to critical treatment for severe acute malnutrition.
