The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan’s Darfur region. Fresh violence around the city of al-Fashir, the last government stronghold in the region, has disrupted a recently opened aid corridor from neighboring Chad, raising fears of widespread hunger and displacement.
Escalating Conflict Threatens Millions
The clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have caused significant casualties and displacement. The UN warns that this renewed fighting could trigger a new wave of inter-communal conflict, further destabilizing the already fragile region.
The ongoing conflict has severely impacted food security in Darfur, with reports of people resorting to desperate measures like consuming soil and leaves to survive. Aid agencies accuse both sides of the conflict of obstructing the delivery of critical humanitarian supplies. This includes looting aid convoys and restricting access through the only remaining aid corridor from Chad.
Al-Fashir Under Siege, Humanitarian Supplies Dwindling
Al-Fashir, currently under government control and home to roughly 1.6 million residents, has become a focal point of the conflict. The city has received minimal aid since the war began a year ago, relying solely on government-approved shipments. A recent study by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab using satellite imagery revealed that 23 villages near al-Fashir have been burned down, potentially by the RSF, since the end of March. The study also indicates significant damage inflicted on the city itself, with over 600 buildings burned, including areas targeted by army bombardments.
The situation in refugee camps like Zamzam in North Darfur paints a grim picture. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that 30% of the estimated 46,000 children in the camp suffer from acute malnutrition, a stark indicator of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. MSF further criticized the UN’s response, accusing them of failing to adequately address the crisis despite being aware of its severity.
Time Running Out to Avert Starvation
The WFP emphasizes the critical need to reopen the aid corridor from Chad to prevent widespread starvation in Darfur. Negotiations between warring factions and international pressure are crucial to ensure safe passage for humanitarian convoys. The international community must act swiftly to address the escalating violence and facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid to the millions of people facing starvation in Darfur.
Source: Reuters
