Thousands of families in El Fasher,, North Darfur, are at risk of starvation as the city remains under siege by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the World Food Program (WFP) has warned.
Encircling El Fasher,, the final Darfur city under government control sinceMay 2023, the RSF has blocked roadways and restricted aidaccess. Food costs have soared as a result of the siege; sorghum and wheat now cost up to 460% more than elsewhere in Sudan. Attacks have been directed at markets and clinics; most neighborhood kitchens have closed as a result of supply constraints.
“Every day, the people of El Fasherr fight for their lives,” remarked Eric Perdison, regional director for the WFP. According to the UN, 40% of youngsters under five are extremely malnourished; 11% have severe acute malnutrition.
Civilians escaping earlier RSF attacks,, particularly from the nearbyarby Zamzam camp,, are flooding the city. Many of them are now living on animal feed and trash food.
The siege and the wet season, which is degrading road conditions, are impeding relief delivery attempts. ElFasher’s hunger reflects that of of those that started last year in refugee camps like Zamzam, alSalam, and Abu Shouk.
A cholera epidemic, meanwhile,e, complicates the situation. In North Darfur, at least 191 persons have perished, including in Tawila as well as the Kalma and Otash camps. Almost 4,000 instances of cholera have been recorded.
As severe funding shortfalls affect humanitarian activities, UNICEF cautions of “irreversible damage” to an entire generation of Sudanese children. Just 23% of the UN’s $4.16 billion aid package for Sudan is supported.
Entering its third year, the larger conflict between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions of others from their homes. Deepening the political division and humanitarian tragedy, the RSF lately proclaimed a competing government and now dominates much of Darfur.
UN officials are pleading for entry to the besieged area before the disaster gets any worse.
