Civilians seeking refuge in the sprawling Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan’s North Darfur region are now facing critical isolation, with access to aid becoming “nearly impossible,” according to the United Nations’ top humanitarian official in the country.
“I am deeply worried about reports of destruction of homes and livelihoods in North Darfur,” stated Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan.
“Civilians continue to pay the price. Access to Zamzam camp is nearly impossible, just when people need support the most. We need unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving aid.”
Clementine Nkweta-Salami
The Zamzam camp, located approximately 15 kilometers south of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, was established in 2004 to shelter those displaced by conflict in western Sudan. However, with the area under siege for months by militia forces opposed to the government in Khartoum, conditions have deteriorated drastically.
Last week, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that children were already dying from starvation in the camp. The crisis is expected to worsen in the coming weeks as heavy shelling has forced a pause in aid distribution, raising fears of mass starvation.
Armed Clashes Escalate Crisis
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan’s armed forces (SAF) have been engaged in fierce battles with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a former ally turned adversary, after a failed transition to civilian rule plunged the nation into chaos.
The RSF, now controlling most of Darfur, has been tightening its grip around El Fasher, the city near Zamzam. Reports indicate that on February 11, RSF fighters stormed the displacement camp, triggering days of clashes with government troops and allied forces.
In another act of violence, an attack on North Darfur’s Abu Shouk camp on Tuesday evening left dozens of civilians dead, with news sources attributing the strike to the RSF. The deadly assault followed an earlier shelling incident on Sunday that claimed six lives.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has expressed deep concern over Sudan’s opposition forces signing a charter to establish a parallel governing authority. “The members of the Security Council underscored that such actions risk exacerbating the ongoing conflict in Sudan, fragmenting the country, and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation,” the 15-member body warned.
Emergency Aid Announced Amid Growing Famine
Currently, over two million people in 27 locations across Sudan are either experiencing famine or are on the brink of it. While the Sudanese army retains control over the northern and eastern regions, RSF militias and their allies hold significant power in the Darfur region and parts of the south, creating a deep humanitarian divide.
To address the escalating crisis, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, announced a $22 million emergency fund allocation on Thursday. The funds, released from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), aim to provide immediate humanitarian assistance in response to starvation, disease outbreaks, and worsening conflict.
The ongoing war has also brought horrifying reports of sexual violence against children. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has confirmed that infants as young as one year old are being raped by armed forces, highlighting the extreme brutality of the conflict.
More than 220 cases of child rape have been reported since the start of 2024, according to UNICEF, which cited data from teams assisting victims of gender-based violence. “Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
As Sudan’s humanitarian crisis worsens, international organizations continue to call for urgent intervention to protect vulnerable civilians and ensure access to life-saving aid.
READ ALSO: GNFS Bemoans Logistics Constraints, Public Interference in Techiman Fire Incident
