Sudan’s crisis deepens with communities trapped in ‘siege conditions’

Communities in Dilling and Kadugli in the south are trapped in “siege conditions,” according to children’s agency UNICEF. Additionally, there have been reports of sustained attacks in recent days in West Kordofan.

Meanwhile, the situation in and around El Fasher – which UN relief chief Tom Fletcher called a “potential crime scene” following its capture by militia fighters, during his visit last month — remains dire. Civilians attempting to escape continue to face grave risks along unsafe routes.

“We cannot stress enough that civilians wishing to flee must be afforded safe passage, and they must be able to access humanitarian assistance,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the daily briefing.

Hospitals not spared

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on healthcare in Sudan continue. Most of Al-Nuhud Hospital in West Kordofan has been overrun, depriving communities of essential medical care.

The UN agency has verified 198 attacks on healthcare since the conflict started in April 2023, killing more than 1,700 health workers and patients and injuring over 400.

Children bear the brunt

In Tawila in North Darfur, where many displaced have sought refuge, the arrival of people who fled El Fasher continues to strain services.

Sites are overcrowded and malnutrition and disease are on the rise. UNICEF registered nearly 950 separated or unaccompanied children in Tawila and other parts of the region.

According to the UN, partners and state health authorities, the level of child malnutrition in White Nile State is “alarming”. Over 30 per cent of children are underweight and one in three is stunted in El Jabalain, while limited access to safe water, low vaccination coverage and poor feeding practices, fuel a 13 per cent acute malnutrition rate in Tendelti.

Response remains underfunded

“Despite all this, we continue to do everything we can to deliver assistance,” Mr. Dujarric stressed.

Over the past month, UNICEF and its partners have provided water for tens of thousands of people, delivering 132,000 litres per day.

They also treated acute malnutrition and provided psychosocial support to over 3,000 youngsters.

With only a few weeks left in the year, however, the humanitarian response plan for Sudan is only 35 per cent funded.

“We urge donors to step up and remain committed to supporting the millions of people who are in such a dire need across Sudan,” stressed Mr. Dujarric.