The Executive Director of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, has expressed deep concern over the intensifying violence in Sudan’s North Darfur, particularly in and around El Fasher city.
In a released statement, Russell emphasised the grave impact of the conflict on children, citing the deaths of at least 43 individuals, including children and women, in recent weeks.
“There are deeply concerning reports of children being separated from their families or reportedly going missing,” she stated, urging all parties involved in the conflict to step back from the brink of a potentially catastrophic confrontation, especially given the imminent threat of military action in El Fasher.
Russell underscored the dire situation in the city, which hosts approximately 500,000 displaced individuals, putting the lives and well-being of 750,000 children at risk.
Moreover, she highlighted the severe humanitarian challenges, including limited access to essential services and skyrocketing costs for basic necessities such as water, food, and fuel. Over 330,000 people are facing acute food insecurity in El Fasher alone, she added.
The UNICEF director called upon all conflict parties to prioritise civilian protection and facilitate the safe movement of those seeking refuge. Additionally, she stressed the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver aid effectively.
She warned that escalating violence in Sudan could lead to conflict-induced famine and urged immediate action to prevent further loss of life, particularly among children.
The Sudanese army, supported by armed movements that signed the Juba peace agreement in 2020, controls El Fasher. The conflict, stemming from disputes over integrating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the army, has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, claiming nearly 16,000 lives and displacing millions.
On March 29, Sudan lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of supporting the RSF, an allegation denied by the UAE.
