Civilians in El Fasher, the besieged capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, continue to endure relentless attacks, acute hunger and cholera, the United Nations said.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, said in his noon briefing Friday that civilians are facing daily threats from shelling, airstrikes and drone attacks, with fierce clashes reported in northeastern districts in recent weeks.
Dujarric described the situation as “horrific,” citing reports from humanitarian agencies on the ground.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, speaking this week on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York, said he had engaged with both parties to the conflict and addressed the worsening situation in Sudan—particularly around El Fasher.
On Wednesday, Fletcher met with Sudan’s transitional prime minister, Kamil Idris. He highlighted the UN’s ongoing efforts to move pre-positioned aid supplies into El Fasher. The meeting also focused on expanding humanitarian access and ensuring that more essential aid reaches areas in need.
Fletcher also spoke by phone with Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces to raise concerns about the humanitarian crisis in El Fasher. He stressed the urgent need to protect civilians, halt the fighting and ensure safe humanitarian access.
Elsewhere in the country, aid organizations are doing everything possible to support those in need. This week, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown concluded a two-day visit to Khartoum with UN agencies and partners.
Brown met with government officials, communities and frontline workers to discuss urgent humanitarian priorities. She said humanitarian colleagues are working jointly to assist with recovery efforts and help communities rebuild Khartoum. UNICEF reported that on Thursday, two generators were en route to Khartoum to restore safe water in cholera hotspots.
Meanwhile, UNICEF said the main building within its compound in El Fasher came under repeated attack, with shelling killing at least seven people sheltering there and injuring others.
Although UNICEF has not had access to the compound since March 2024, it remains protected under UN privileges and immunities. However, just days ago, armed individuals reportedly entered the compound and seized communications equipment and several UNICEF vehicles.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that hundreds of thousands of people who fled El Fasher are now living in dire conditions in Tawila, also in North Darfur.
The agency said that, together with partners, it is providing support—but $120 million is urgently needed to meet immediate needs in the area.
The World Food Program has been scaling up assistance in Tawila, reaching some 450,000 people last month with vital food and nutrition aid.