In the besieged city of el-Fasher, Sudan, families gather in community kitchens, their faces reflecting the horror of watching their children suffer and die of starvation. "Our children are dying before our eyes," laments one mother, expressing the anguish that has taken hold of the community. Food prices have skyrocketed, leaving families unable to afford even a day's worth of meals. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has turned starvation into a weapon of war, with aid organizations condemning this calculated tactic as a violation of humanitarian standards.
Recent footage from inside el-Fasher, shared by a local activist, provides a glimpse into the desperate plight of civilians enduring the brutal blockade that has intensified in recent weeks. In the last two years, this conflict has escalated, particularly in the Darfur region, with el-Fasher becoming one of its most brutal battlegrounds. The ongoing civil war has also led to a cholera outbreak that is devastating the displaced populations, exacerbated by scarce resources and lack of medical supplies.
According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), nearly 100,000 cholera cases have been reported, with a staggering 2,470 fatalities in the past year, mostly affecting those in camps around el-Fasher. The communal kitchens, such as Matbakh-al-Khair, struggle to provide even the most meager of meals. Volunteers are forced to make porridge from ambaz, a byproduct of peanut oil extraction, while supplies of basic food items are dwindling.
International organizations have urgently called for a humanitarian pause, hoping to secure the delivery of essential aid. However, the RSF has expressed skepticism about opening routes for assistance, fearing that it would only help the Sudanese military. Civilians are trapped in a dire situation, with reports indicating that malnutrition is claiming lives daily, as hospitals remain overwhelmed and ill-equipped to meet the pressing health needs.
As survivors attempt to flee to safer regions, they face grave dangers, including armed groups and harsh conditions. Camps outside el-Fasher offer some respite but carry their own risks, particularly with disease spreading due to unsanitary conditions and contaminated water supplies.
In a heartbreaking appeal, one mother implores, "We want this siege lifted. Even if they airdrop food, just anything - we are completely exhausted." The ongoing humanitarian crisis highlights the urgent need for international attention and action to support the beleaguered citizens of el-Fasher and surrounding areas.
Recent footage from inside el-Fasher, shared by a local activist, provides a glimpse into the desperate plight of civilians enduring the brutal blockade that has intensified in recent weeks. In the last two years, this conflict has escalated, particularly in the Darfur region, with el-Fasher becoming one of its most brutal battlegrounds. The ongoing civil war has also led to a cholera outbreak that is devastating the displaced populations, exacerbated by scarce resources and lack of medical supplies.
According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), nearly 100,000 cholera cases have been reported, with a staggering 2,470 fatalities in the past year, mostly affecting those in camps around el-Fasher. The communal kitchens, such as Matbakh-al-Khair, struggle to provide even the most meager of meals. Volunteers are forced to make porridge from ambaz, a byproduct of peanut oil extraction, while supplies of basic food items are dwindling.
International organizations have urgently called for a humanitarian pause, hoping to secure the delivery of essential aid. However, the RSF has expressed skepticism about opening routes for assistance, fearing that it would only help the Sudanese military. Civilians are trapped in a dire situation, with reports indicating that malnutrition is claiming lives daily, as hospitals remain overwhelmed and ill-equipped to meet the pressing health needs.
As survivors attempt to flee to safer regions, they face grave dangers, including armed groups and harsh conditions. Camps outside el-Fasher offer some respite but carry their own risks, particularly with disease spreading due to unsanitary conditions and contaminated water supplies.
In a heartbreaking appeal, one mother implores, "We want this siege lifted. Even if they airdrop food, just anything - we are completely exhausted." The ongoing humanitarian crisis highlights the urgent need for international attention and action to support the beleaguered citizens of el-Fasher and surrounding areas.
