On Wednesday,August 27,2025,the United Nations has raised alarm over the dire humanitarian crisis in El-Fasher,the capital of North Darfur,where about 260,000 people remain trapped under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The city has been a frontline in Sudan’s year-long conflict between the RSF and the national Army,leaving civilians stranded without access to aid for more than 16 months. Half of those still in the city are children,facing hunger,disease,and violence daily.
UNICEF reports that more than 600,000 people have already fled El-Fasher and surrounding camps in recent months,but those left behind are living in “desperate conditions.” The agency estimates that at least 6,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition,putting them at immediate risk of death. With supply lines cut,the flow of humanitarian assistance has been completely blocked,worsening the plight of civilians caught in the conflict.
Catherine Russell,UNICEF’s executive director,described the situation as an unfolding tragedy,warning that El-Fasher has become “an epicentre of child suffering.” She stressed that malnutrition,preventable diseases,and relentless violence are claiming young lives,while lifesaving services remain out of reach due to the siege. The UN is urging all parties to grant immediate humanitarian access to avert further catastrophe.
United News - unews.co.za