Sudan: Famine Looms Over Residents of El Fasher, North Darfur
Sudan Events – Agencies
The city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, is witnessing extremely dangerous humanitarian conditions, as residents suffer from a severe shortage of food. This crisis has forced hundreds of families to flee to other areas within the region, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) tighten their grip on the city. Hunger and the lack of food supplies in El Fasher and the surrounding camps now threaten the lives of thousands of civilians in North Darfur, which has been under siege by the RSF for nearly six months—worsening the suffering of the population, who are desperate for quick solutions to the crisis.
Residents of El Fasher told Asharq Al-Awsat over the phone that “the situation is extremely bad, and the cost of purchasing food has become very high.” They noted that the available supply of goods and food items is “very limited in shops, and many citizens cannot afford them.”
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We have no choice left but to leave the city. We don’t have the money to buy what we need to survive.”
Another person still trapped in the city added: “All food prices have skyrocketed. Prices of essential goods like bread, rice, and sugar have doubled. The city used to rely on the supply of goods brought in by merchants, but in recent times, their movement has become heavily restricted due to the worsening security situation caused by military clashes” between the army and its allies on one side, and the RSF on the other.
Challenges Facing the City’s Residents
Officials speak of major challenges facing the people, particularly the severe shortage of food and drinking water due to the prolonged siege by the RSF.
Activists on social media expressed deep concern over what they described as a catastrophic humanitarian situation in El Fasher. They noted that the health situation in the city is extremely dire, as health facilities have been damaged by artillery shelling. There is an urgent need for medicines and medical supplies to treat injuries and illnesses affecting civilians.
In recent days, localities in North Darfur that lie outside the conflict zone have received hundreds of families fleeing from El Fasher and Zamzam camp due to hunger. These families now face harsh conditions, living out in the open.
As the security situation deteriorates, international medical teams and humanitarian organizations have reduced their presence in El Fasher and its surrounding camps. According to statements on Facebook by the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees (a local volunteer organization), the rising cost of living has forced hundreds of displaced persons in Zamzam camp to flee to the locality of Tawila.
Displaced families traveled long distances on foot and in animal-drawn carts to reach safer areas in North Darfur.
Failure of Aid Airdrops
Earlier, the Sudanese army attempted to deliver humanitarian aid via airdrops, but aircraft were targeted by RSF fighters.
In recent days, the RSF has intensified its indiscriminate artillery shelling on El Fasher and the Zamzam and Al-Salam camps for displaced persons, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties.
The RSF has been besieging El Fasher since October. It remains the only city in Darfur not under their control. The city is home to more than half a million people.
In August 2024, the United Nations declared a famine in parts of North Darfur State, particularly in Zamzam camp, due to obstacles imposed by both warring parties—the Sudanese army and the RSF—that have prevented humanitarian aid from reaching the area.
The UN Security Council called on the RSF to lift the siege on the city to allow the safe passage of civilians, but the call has gone unanswered.
