WFP Condemns Violent Attacks on Humanitarian Efforts in Sudan
The Urgent Call for Protection
The World Food Programme (WFP) has recently expressed its deep shock and alarm over the continued assaults on its facilities in southwestern Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This paramilitary group has intensified its violent campaign against the Sudanese army, plunging the nation deeper into a civil war that now stretches into its third year. In a statement made on X (formerly Twitter), the WFP underscored that “humanitarian staff, assets, operations, and supplies should never be a target. This must stop now.”
El-Fasher: A Humanitarian Crisis in the Making
One of the focal points in this ongoing turmoil is El-Fasher, the last significant stronghold of the Sudanese army in the Darfur region. Since May 2024, this city has been the epicenter of fierce clashes between the army and RSF militants. International warnings have been issued, highlighting the precarious situation in El-Fasher, which serves as a crucial humanitarian hub for the five Darfur states.
Despite these warnings, the RSF has aggressively attempted to seize control of El-Fasher, launching consistent attacks on both the city and two major famine-stricken camps located on its outskirts.
Cholera Outbreak Compounds the Crisis
Adding to the humanitarian nightmare, the Health Ministry in Khartoum reported an alarming spike in cholera outbreaks, recording 942 new infections and 25 deaths just yesterday, following 1,177 cases and 45 fatalities the day before. The current cholera crisis is exacerbated by the near-total collapse of healthcare services, with 90 percent of hospitals in conflict zones rendered inoperable.
The Gripping Statistics
Since August 2024, Sudan has seen over 65,000 suspected cholera cases and at least 1,700 deaths across 12 of its 18 states. Khartoum has been hit particularly hard, recording 7,700 cases and 185 deaths—including over 1,000 infections among children under five years old—as the conflict with the RSF persists.
Government Policies: A Cause for Alarm
In a troubling development, the army-backed government in Khartoum has mandated that all relief initiatives must register with the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). This governmental body regulates humanitarian operations in Sudan, and aid workers express concern that these new regulations could lead to increased restrictions on local relief volunteers, thereby exacerbating the catastrophic hunger crisis affecting 25 million people across the country.
Critics argue that the HAC’s authority has expanded since its founding by former leader Omar al-Bashir in 2006, casting a shadow over local and international humanitarian efforts.
The Human Cost of War
The hardships in Khartoum are compounded by the recent announcement that the army has successfully driven the RSF from their remaining bases in the state just two months after regaining control of the capital. Despite these advancements, the city’s infrastructure for health and sanitation remains in shambles.
Since fighting erupted in April 2023, more than 20,000 lives have been lost, and 15 million people have been displaced. The UN has categorized the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and action.
For more updates on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, visit WFP’s official website and follow their latest developments on X.
It is crucial that the international community not only acknowledges this escalating disaster but acts decisively to protect vulnerable populations and restore essential humanitarian services in the region.
