Hundreds flee El-Fasher violence, face dire conditions in Sudan

Hundreds of civilians fleeing recent violence in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, have reached Sudan's Northern State after a dangerous journey. The Sudan Doctors Network reported that at least 642 displaced people, who escaped what they described as "massacres" by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are now facing a severe humanitarian crisis in the Al-Dabba area.

Overwhelmed Host Communities

The medical group detailed that the new arrivals are living in "dire humanitarian conditions," characterized by a critical lack of adequate shelter, food, clean water, and basic health services. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, and the elderly, are particularly at risk. The network stated that the challenges "exceed the capacity of the host communities to cope with," and warned that the number of displaced is expected to rise sharply as the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate.

Appeal for Urgent Aid

An urgent appeal has been issued to local authorities and humanitarian organizations, both within and outside Sudan, to provide immediate assistance. The required aid includes medical supplies, food, shelter materials, and psychological support to prevent a "total collapse of the humanitarian situation." This new wave of displacement follows the RSF's takeover of El-Fasher earlier this week after a months-long siege, a event that has drawn accusations of mass killings and attacks on hospitals from rights groups.

A Wider Crisis of Displacement

The incident in El-Fasher is part of a much larger displacement crisis. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 62,000 people were displaced from the city in just a four-day period following the RSF's capture. This adds to the millions already displaced since the civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023, a conflict that has devastated the country and caused thousands of deaths.