News|Sudan warUN says Sudan’s el-Fasher a ‘crime scene’ in first access since RSF captureInternational aid workers discover largely deserted war-ravaged Sudanese city with few signs of life following mass atrocities.
## Humanitarian Crisis in El-Fasher, Sudan
Humanitarian Crisis in El-Fasher, Sudan
A United Nations team recently gained access to the city of el-Fasher in Sudan, describing it as a site of significant humanitarian concern following its takeover by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in October 2025. The city, once densely populated, is now largely deserted.
International aid workers visited el-Fasher after prolonged negotiations and observed that most residents had fled. Reports indicate that over 100,000 people left the city when the RSF took control on October 26. Those remaining are sheltering in abandoned buildings or under makeshift coverings, with limited access to locally grown food.
The UN Children's Agency, UNICEF, has reported an alarming rate of child malnutrition in North Darfur, with 53% of children in the Um Baru locality suffering from acute malnutrition. Furthermore, the RSF has been accused of systematic actions to conceal evidence of atrocities.
Satellite imagery analysis by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab indicates significant efforts to eliminate signs of mass casualties.
International aid workers visited el-Fasher after prolonged negotiations and observed that most residents had fled.
The RSF's capture of el-Fasher has allowed them to consolidate power in the Darfur region and expand fighting into Kordofan. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has resulted in over 100,000 fatalities and the displacement of approximately 14 million people.
Recently, the Sudan Doctors Network reported ethnic-based violence resulting in the deaths of over 200 individuals, including children and women, during a recent RSF offensive in the Dar Zaghawa region.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, labeling the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. However, funding cuts from key donors have hampered relief efforts, reducing the UN’s 2026 appeal by half. The United States Department of State has urged Sudanese military leaders to seek peaceful resolutions, despite continued hostilities.
The visit by UN officials aimed to evaluate the feasibility of delivering basic supplies to el-Fasher. However, concerns remain regarding the safety and well-being of injured and possibly detained individuals within the city.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
