Key points
- UN condemns violations of humanitarian law
- Civilians fleeing to Tawila, facing hardships
- Urgent international action needed to protect civilians
NEW YORK CITY: Over 1,850 Sudanese civilians have lost their lives in North Darfur since January, with an estimated 1,350 of them killed in the besieged city of El-Fasher, according to the UN.
The actual death toll is believed to be higher, however, due to limited access to the region and communication challenges amidst Sudan’s civil war.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported that people in El-Fasher and surrounding areas have been suffering greatly from a prolonged siege imposed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of the warring factions. Malnutrition, disease, and ongoing violence are causing daily casualties, reports Arab News.
Humanitarian law violations
“The secretary-general strongly condemns reports of violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights in El-Fasher, including indiscriminate attacks, targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, gender-based violence, and ethnically motivated attacks,” Dujarric stated.
He reiterated calls for an immediate end to the siege and for safe, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in need.
Dujarric also raised concerns over the continued flow of weapons and fighters into Sudan, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Civilians fleeing violence
Humanitarian organisations have reported that many civilians are fleeing to Tawila, often arriving malnourished, sick, and traumatised after perilous journeys.
Despite the dangers, UN agencies and their partners are striving to provide essential aid, including shelter and medical care.
The UN has urged both warring factions, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, to engage fully with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ envoy for Sudan and to take rapid steps towards reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which began in April 2023.
Fighting has escalated in North Kordofan state, forcing thousands more people to flee their homes.
“The international community must urgently act to protect civilians and ensure safe humanitarian access, while scaling up support for operations across Darfur and other affected areas in Sudan,” Dujarric concluded.
