Sudan’s Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens: A Nation on the Brink of Famine and Systemic Violence
Sudan is spiraling into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, marked by escalating conflict, widespread displacement, and a intentional obstruction of aid. The brutal war between the Sudanese Armed forces (SAF) and the rapid Support Forces (RSF), raging as April 2023, has left tens of thousands dead, displaced over 13 million people, and pushed a staggering 25 million Sudanese into acute food insecurity. recent developments, notably in the Darfur region and Kordofan, paint a grim picture of a nation teetering on the brink of famine and witnessing horrific violations against its civilian population.
El-Fasher: A City Under siege and a Symbol of the Crisis
The recent capture of El-Fasher, a key city in North Darfur, by the RSF has dramatically worsened an already dire situation. During a critical meeting in Port Sudan with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, SAF leader Al-Burhan directly accused the RSF of weaponizing food, deliberately starving civilians within the city. This accusation, coupled with reports of widespread killings, beatings, and sexual assaults, underscores a pattern of brutality that is systematically dismantling the fabric of Sudanese society.
Fletcher,in turn,warned of “grave risks” posed by the escalating humanitarian crisis,highlighting the “horrific violations against civilians” in El-Fasher. The UN remains committed to delivering life-saving aid, but faces immense challenges in reaching those in need. the situation is so critical that the European Commission’s humanitarian spokesperson, Eva Hrnčířová, starkly described El-Fasher as “a graveyard for humanity.”
Systematic Sexual Violence: A Weapon of War
Perhaps the most harrowing aspect of the conflict is the escalating and systematic use of sexual violence against women and girls. UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, delivered a chilling assessment: “Women’s bodies have become crime scenes in Sudan.” testimonies from El-Fasher reveal unimaginable suffering, including pregnant women forced to deliver in the streets after the city’s maternity hospital was looted and destroyed. The collapse of basic services, coupled with soaring prices – sanitary pads now costing around $27 in North Darfur while families receive only $150 in monthly aid – creates a context where women are forced to make unfeasible choices, leading to a surge in infant malnutrition as mothers are unable to breastfeed due to starvation. the lack of safe spaces and the complete erosion of dignity are hallmarks of this unfolding tragedy.
Displacement and the Collapse of Humanitarian Operations
The violence is driving mass displacement. In the past two weeks alone, approximately 90,000 people have fled El-Fasher, and 39,000 have escaped North Kordofan since late October. This influx of displaced populations is overwhelming already strained resources and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in neighboring regions, particularly Chad, wich now hosts over 1.5 million Sudanese refugees.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-general Amy Pope warns that humanitarian operations are “on the verge of total collapse,” citing severe funding shortages and risky access conditions. The World Food program (WFP) is attempting to expand food assistance and support local farmers, but the scale of the need far outweighs available resources.
Political Obstacles and the Search for a Solution
The Sudanese government, lead by foreign minister Mohieldin Salem, has expressed a preference for direct bilateral coordination with key international actors – the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE – rejecting the authority of the “quad” group, arguing it lacks a legitimate international mandate. This stance reflects a complex political landscape and underscores the challenges in forging a unified approach to resolving the conflict. Recent trilateral talks involving Sudan, Egypt, and the UN focused on the dire humanitarian situation in besieged areas like Babnousa, Kadugli, and Dilling, and also the plight of displaced populations in Dabba and Tawila.
Escalating Conflict and Regional Instability
Fighting continues to intensify across the Kordofan region, with the Sudanese army conducting airstrikes on RSF positions near Nyala in South Darfur and fierce clashes ongoing in Babnousa, where the RSF is attempting to seize control.The RSF currently controls most of the western Darfur region, while the army maintains control over much of the north, east, and center of the country, including the temporary capital, Port Sudan. This geographical division further complicates efforts to deliver aid and negotiate a ceasefire.
The Path Forward: Urgent Action Needed
