El Geneina, June 17(Darfur24)
The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization announced that at least 890 families have left El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, for Abu Shouk camp over the past two weeks.
In a statement, the non-governmental Sudanese organization (NGO) issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to all local, regional, and international organizations regarding the humanitarian situation in Tawila locality in North Darfur State.
It added that “Abu Shouk camp for displaced persons, near El Fasher, received approximately 890 families from El Fasher between June 1 and 16. They are living in catastrophic humanitarian conditions, with malnutrition emerging among the displaced.”
The statement confirmed that more than two million civilians have fled El Fasher and its camps in Tawila locality in North Darfur State, suffering from thirst, hunger, and a lack of health and medical care.
El Fasher is currently witnessing continuous waves of displacement due to the siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces for more than a year, which has exacerbated the deteriorating humanitarian and living conditions.
Last week, military sources in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, revealed that large numbers of conscripts fighting in the army had surrendered their weapons before leaving the city with their families.
A military source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Darfur 24 that there is significant discontent among army fighters these days, especially those on call, due to delayed incentive payments, forcing most of them to surrender their weapons.
The source indicated that army families, especially those on call, are facing tragic circumstances due to the deteriorating situation in El Fasher these days, with a lack of cash and rising prices of essential goods.
The governor of North Darfur, Al-Hafiz Bakhit Mohamed, called on El Fasher residents not to respond to calls by RSF to leave the city, at a time when the humanitarian situation has worsened and hunger is spreading among the population as a result of the Rapid Support Forces’ siege of the city.
In press statements, the governor warned citizens of security risks in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces if they arrive there. These risks include the forced recruitment of young men and the use of women, children, and the elderly as human shields, according to him.
The governor announced the allocation of urgent support worth one billion Sudanese pounds to support the “takaya” (hospitals) that provide food in the city’s neighborhoods, as a first step to alleviate the living crisis, with promises of measures. Additional aid will be provided in the coming period.
The Rapid Support Forces have imposed a suffocating siege on El Fasher since May 10, 2024, preventing the entry of food and humanitarian aid, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes in search of security, food, and medicine.