United Nations in El Fasher: Shocking testimonies about the humanitarian situation
In a significant development in the complex Sudanese situation, the United Nations revealed harrowing details about the humanitarian crisis in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, following the first successful UN mission to reach the city since its capture by the Rapid Support Forces nearly two months ago. This visit, which came after what officials described as "arduous" and complex negotiations, exposed the extent of the devastation and suffering endured by the remaining residents.
Shocking testimonies from the heart of the event
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, described the situation in El Fasher as "catastrophic" by all accounts. Upon returning from a field visit on Monday, Brown confirmed that civilians are living in a state of "deep psychological trauma," amidst degrading living conditions that lack the most basic necessities for human life. The UN official noted that families are living in abandoned buildings or under makeshift plastic sheeting, without access to clean drinking water or sanitation, raising concerns about the outbreak of epidemics and diseases.
El Fasher: From a historic capital to a "crime scene"
El Fasher was not just an ordinary city in western Sudan; it represented the strategic and political heartland of Darfur and the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the vast region. Today, the city, as Brown put it, has become a "ghost town" and a "crime scene" reflecting the brutality of the war that erupted two years ago. Extensive destruction has affected its infrastructure, turning the once vibrant city of nearly a million inhabitants into rubble.
Background of the conflict and the fall of the city
This appalling deterioration comes after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El Fasher at the end of October, following an 18-month siege. This prolonged siege, and the subsequent bloody offensive, have shifted the balance of power in the region, with the RSF now controlling roughly a third of Sudan. The city's fall was accompanied by international and local reports of grave human rights abuses, including massacres, sexual violence, and abductions, forcing more than 107,000 people to flee for their lives.
Humanitarian and regional repercussions
This visit is of paramount importance as it sheds light on the isolated areas of Darfur. Observers warn that the continuation of the current situation in El Fasher could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe with repercussions extending to neighboring countries, especially given the difficulty of delivering aid. El Fasher is considered an epicenter of human suffering in this war, where residents face the threat of famine and insecurity, amid a near-total absence of medical and basic services, necessitating urgent international intervention to salvage what can still be saved.
