As Sudan’s civil war extends into its third year, the UN warns that residents of El-Fasher are on the brink of starvation due to prolonged blockades and food shortages, leading to increasing malnutrition, particularly among children.
El-Fasher Faces Dire Starvation Crisis Amid Ongoing Civil War
El-Fasher Faces Dire Starvation Crisis Amid Ongoing Civil War
UN agencies report grim humanitarian crisis as starvation looms for residents in besieged Sudanese city of El-Fasher.
In the beleaguered Sudanese city of El-Fasher, the situation has become increasingly dire as the ongoing civil war enters its third year. The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that families in the city, besieged for over 16 months by paramilitary groups, are facing starvation. With food deliveries completely cut off by road for more than a year, approximately 300,000 residents are struggling for survival.
El-Fasher has been surrounded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have intensified battles against the Sudanese army, seeking control of the city. This conflict, ignited by a power struggle in April 2023, has pushed Sudan into one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. Recent reports from local activists indicate that deaths from starvation are occurring, particularly among vulnerable populations. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, confirms that malnutrition is widespread, with many children emaciated and deprived of adequate nourishment.
The WFP has highlighted the plight of those in El-Fasher, noting a dramatic surge in food prices exacerbated by the chronic shortage of supplies. In desperate attempts to survive, some residents are resorting to consuming animal feed and food waste. Eric Perdison, WFP's regional director for eastern and southern Africa, stated, “Everyone in El-Fasher is facing a daily struggle to survive,” underscoring the urgency of providing immediate aid as coping mechanisms have been wholly exhausted.
Despite possessing food supplies ready for transportation into El-Fasher, the WFP is waiting on the RSF to allow access for humanitarian efforts. The UN has been advocating for a week-long ceasefire to facilitate necessary food deliveries after a UN convoy encountered violence on its way to the area.
In a related context, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that over one million people have evacuated El-Fasher due to the ongoing violence, with many fleeing to camps for internally displaced persons. This mass migration underscores the escalating crisis as the United Nations faces mounting criticism for insufficient and delayed responses to the urgent needs of those caught in this devastating conflict.
While there are signs of improvement in some regions, limited resources are straining humanitarian responses. UNICEF's Sheldon Yett cautioned against the impending catastrophe threatening children's futures, driven not by a lack of knowledge or tools but by a collective failure to respond adequately to the crisis at hand. He called for immediate access to assist the children in desperate need.
As the rainy season approaches, hopes for relief dwindle, and the population remains trapped in a perilous cycle of warfare and famine.
El-Fasher has been surrounded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have intensified battles against the Sudanese army, seeking control of the city. This conflict, ignited by a power struggle in April 2023, has pushed Sudan into one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. Recent reports from local activists indicate that deaths from starvation are occurring, particularly among vulnerable populations. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, confirms that malnutrition is widespread, with many children emaciated and deprived of adequate nourishment.
The WFP has highlighted the plight of those in El-Fasher, noting a dramatic surge in food prices exacerbated by the chronic shortage of supplies. In desperate attempts to survive, some residents are resorting to consuming animal feed and food waste. Eric Perdison, WFP's regional director for eastern and southern Africa, stated, “Everyone in El-Fasher is facing a daily struggle to survive,” underscoring the urgency of providing immediate aid as coping mechanisms have been wholly exhausted.
Despite possessing food supplies ready for transportation into El-Fasher, the WFP is waiting on the RSF to allow access for humanitarian efforts. The UN has been advocating for a week-long ceasefire to facilitate necessary food deliveries after a UN convoy encountered violence on its way to the area.
In a related context, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that over one million people have evacuated El-Fasher due to the ongoing violence, with many fleeing to camps for internally displaced persons. This mass migration underscores the escalating crisis as the United Nations faces mounting criticism for insufficient and delayed responses to the urgent needs of those caught in this devastating conflict.
While there are signs of improvement in some regions, limited resources are straining humanitarian responses. UNICEF's Sheldon Yett cautioned against the impending catastrophe threatening children's futures, driven not by a lack of knowledge or tools but by a collective failure to respond adequately to the crisis at hand. He called for immediate access to assist the children in desperate need.
As the rainy season approaches, hopes for relief dwindle, and the population remains trapped in a perilous cycle of warfare and famine.
