UNICEF: Thousands of Starving Children Face Death in Besieged Sudan City

Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds in El-Fasher

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued an urgent appeal to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region. According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, approximately 6,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition and face imminent death without immediate specialized treatment.

500 Days of Siege Conditions

El-Fasher has endured 500 consecutive days under siege, creating what humanitarian organizations describe as "hopeless conditions" for the remaining 260,000 civilians. The city represents the last major urban center in Darfur not under RSF control, making it a strategic battleground in Sudan's ongoing civil war that began in April 2023.

Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

Over 600,000 people have been displaced from the region, while those remaining face severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The RSF has completely blocked all access routes to the city, preventing life-saving nutritional aid from reaching the most vulnerable populations.

Strategic Importance of El-Fasher

El-Fasher's strategic significance stems from its location in the resource-rich Darfur region, known for gold deposits and its proximity to the Chad border. This geographical position makes it crucial for weapons supply routes, explaining the RSF's determination to capture the city despite international condemnation.

Ethnic Violence Concerns

Local residents fear potential ethnic violence should the RSF succeed in capturing El-Fasher, citing previous massacres in Zamzam and other Darfur locations where thousands of civilians were executed. The United States officially determined in January 2025 that the RSF and allied militias committed genocide.

Broader Humanitarian Crisis

Sudan currently faces the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with nearly 25 million people experiencing extreme hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification confirmed famine conditions in parts of North Darfur in August 2024. Overall, the conflict has displaced over 8.8 million people internally and forced more than 3.5 million to flee as refugees.

International Response Challenges

Despite numerous international mediation attempts, including the May 2023 Jeddah Declaration, no lasting ceasefire has been achieved. Humanitarian organizations face enormous challenges in delivering aid due to active combat, road blockades, and systematic looting of supplies.