The deputy spokesman for Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday said humanitarians have warned that the crisis in Sudan’s North Darfur State is deepening as violence spreads beyond the state capital, El Fasher.
Briefing the press in New York, Farhan Haq stated that following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of the city on 26 October, clashes continue to be reported along key access routes, trapping civilians and cutting off aid.
“Since that date, nearly 89,000 people have fled El Fasher and nearby villages, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many have sought refuge in the localities of Tawila, Melit and Saraf Omra, while others have travelled to Dabbah in Northern State,” he said. “In Tawila and Dabbah, we and our partners are providing food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and psychosocial support, among other essential aid, but needs far exceed the available resources.”
“Some families from El Fasher have sought refuge in the locality of Tina, near the Sudan-Chad border, where local volunteers report that more than 3,000 displaced people urgently need food, shelter and healthcare,” Haq added. He said that across the border in eastern Chad, already overwhelmed host communities and the UN’s partners are preparing for new arrivals as people continue to seek safety and assistance.
Haq also revealed that violence is intensifying in the Kordofan region, resulting in mounting civilian casualties and new waves of displacement.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) says it verified an attack on Dilling Hospital in South Kordofan State on 6 November that killed and injured people. The agency notes that this is the 192nd verified attack on health facilities in Sudan since April 2023,” he said. “In neighbouring North Kordofan State, IOM says that as of yesterday, violence reported across the localities of Bara, Sheikan, Rahad, Um Rawaba and Um Dam Haj Ahmed displaced nearly 39,000 people over the prior two weeks.”
Partners report that more than 10,000 people have sought safety in White Nile State, while others have fled to Omdurman locality in Khartoum State and other parts of North Kordofan, he stated.
“Once again, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, an end to attacks on hospitals and civilian infrastructure, and safe, unhindered access for aid to reach those in need across Sudan,” Haq said.