A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sudan’s Darfur region, where a two-year-old civil war has reached its worst point. The city of El Fasher, in western Darfur, is under siege by paramilitary forces, leading to widespread starvation and disease.
The United Nations reports that families are struggling to survive on animal feed, wild leaves, and garbage due to severed supply routes and destroyed medical centers. Graveyards are expanding daily as residents face difficulties burying the dead.
A recent cholera outbreak in South Darfur has claimed over 1,100 cases and dozens of deaths since May. The lack of access to vaccines, healthcare, and food is pushing hundreds of thousands of children towards severe malnutrition.
Only 23% of a $4.16 billion humanitarian appeal for Sudan has been funded, highlighting a significant shortfall in aid. The conflict between the government forces and paramilitary groups has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 12 million people, representing nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population.
Ethnic violence is becoming increasingly common in West Darfur, with massacres of non-Arab communities and refugee camps being targeted. International warnings of genocide are mounting due to these mass killings and deliberate targeting of civilians and medical facilities.
Peace talks remain suspended despite previous negotiations, as neither side believes it has exhausted its military options. The war is metastasizing, with Chad fortifying its border and Egypt conducting large-scale military drills near the frontier.
The international community is struggling to respond effectively, leaving Sudan’s Darfur region on the brink of collapse. Without immediate intervention, including humanitarian corridors, funding for food and health services, and accountability for war crimes, the crisis could have long-lasting consequences.
Source: https://wtop.com/j-j-green-national/2025/08/analysis-siege-in-sudans-el-fasher-signals-historic-humanitarian-collapse