Severe Food Crisis Threatens El-Fasher as Sudan’s Conflict Continues

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has led to a critical food shortage in the besieged city of El-Fasher, with the World Food Programme highlighting the immediate need for humanitarian aid. As paramilitary forces tighten their grip, families struggle to survive amid reports of malnutrition and starvation.

Residents in El-Fasher, a city in western Darfur, are facing an acute food crisis exacerbated by the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has entered its third year. The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning that families trapped in the area are on the brink of starvation, with essential food deliveries stalled for over a year due to conflict and roadblocks set by paramilitary fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

With around 300,000 people still residing in El-Fasher, the humanitarian situation has become increasingly desperate. Reports from local activists indicate that starvation-related deaths have begun to occur amid a backdrop of extreme malnutrition, particularly affecting children. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, has noted alarming rates of acute malnutrition, with 38% of children in displaced persons camps near the city suffering from severe malnutrition.

The war erupted in April 2023, stemming from a bitter power struggle between Sudan's army and the RSF. The situation has led to El-Fasher being surrounded for nearly 16 months as both factions vie for control. The escalating actions of the RSF have intensified their assault on the city, contributing to a dramatic rise in food prices and a severe shortage of necessities.

As survival becomes more precarious, some residents are resorting to consuming animal feed and food scraps. Eric Perdison, the WFP's regional director, described the dire circumstances in El-Fasher, saying, "Everyone is facing a daily struggle to survive." The agency has trucks ready with food supplies but lacks the means to deliver them safely without entering a temporary ceasefire agreement with the RSF.

While the Sudanese government has expressed willingness to support a humanitarian truce, the RSF has refrained from a commitment and reportedly views such a ceasefire as an opportunity for the Sudanese armed forces to regroup. Meanwhile, over a million people have fled El-Fasher since the conflict began, with many recounting harrowing experiences during their escape from violence.

Despite some pockets of improvement in conditions across central Sudan following military action against the RSF, humanitarian representatives warn that resources remain critically low and demand a more urgent response to avert what they describe as a looming catastrophe for an entire generation of Sudan's children. The call for immediate access to affected populations continues amid fears of worsening conditions as the rainy season approaches.