Sudan War: Aid Deal Reached for El Fasher
- The humanitarian situation in El Fasher, Sudan, is described as "beyond horrific" by the World Food Program (WFP), with essential supplies "wholly obliterated" for the remaining civilian population.
- An estimated 70,000 to 100,000 people remain trapped inside El Fasher, the regional capital of North Darfur, after it was overrun by the paramilitary rapid Support Forces (RSF)...
- Prior to the RSF takeover, the prolonged siege had already pushed the population to the brink of starvation.
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El Fasher Humanitarian Crisis: complete Obliteration of Essentials, 70-100,000 Trapped
Table of Contents
Updated December 12, 2025, 17:25:14 PST
The Situation in El Fasher: A City Under Siege
The humanitarian situation in El Fasher, Sudan, is described as “beyond horrific” by the World Food Program (WFP), with essential supplies “wholly obliterated” for the remaining civilian population. Ross Smith, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response for the WFP, stated this grim assessment on Friday, December 12, 2025.
An estimated 70,000 to 100,000 people remain trapped inside El Fasher, the regional capital of North Darfur, after it was overrun by the paramilitary rapid Support Forces (RSF) in October 2023, following a brutal 500-day siege.WFP is struggling to assess the full extent of the devastation due to communication blackouts.
Desperate Conditions During the Siege
Prior to the RSF takeover, the prolonged siege had already pushed the population to the brink of starvation. The UN human rights office warned in October 2023 that residents were reduced to consuming peanut shells and animal feed to survive. Satellite imagery at the time revealed evidence of mass killings and ethnically motivated executions, indicated by bloodstains throughout the city.
Testimonies from survivors paint a harrowing picture of El Fasher as a “crime scene,” with reports of mass killings, burnt bodies, and abandoned markets, as detailed by Mr.Smith.
Access Challenges and Communication Breakdown
Securing access for humanitarian aid teams remains a critical and urgent priority. Though, ongoing network blackouts have severely hampered communication with those trapped inside El Fasher, hindering efforts to deliver assistance and assess needs accurately.
the lack of communication also complicates verification of reports and impedes the coordination of aid efforts. Humanitarian agencies are actively advocating for the restoration of communication networks to facilitate a more effective response.
The Conflict in Sudan: A Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2023 | Conflict erupts between the sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). |
| October 2023 | The RSF overruns El Fasher after a 500-day siege. |
| December 12,2025 | WFP warns of “completely obliterated” essential supplies and 70-100,000 people trapped in El Fasher. |