Starvation and Siege in Al-Fashir: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds

In the besieged city of Al-Fashir, in Sudan's western Darfur region, a humanitarian crisis is intensifying. Under relentless artillery and drone attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), residents face severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The situation is exacerbated by electricity blackouts and the closure of essential services like bakeries.

As the civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF rages into its third year, Al-Fashir remains a key battleground. The fall of the city would grant the RSF control over nearly all of Darfur, potentially dividing Sudan along regional lines. The dire circumstances trap hundreds of thousands of people already displaced by previous violence.

Efforts to flee are fraught with danger. Residents report violent attacks, including kidnappings and thefts, by RSF fighters. Meanwhile, an outbreak of cholera, compounded by poor living conditions and the rainy season, adds a lethal dimension to the crisis. Humanitarian aid is critically needed, yet blockades by RSF forces hinder relief efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)