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Sudan

Sudan: Conflict in Al Fasher, North Darfur - Flash Update No. 02 (as of 23 May 2024) [EN/AR]

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • The humanitarian situation for an estimated 800,000 civilians in Al Fasher and surrounding areas has deteriorated following the outbreak of armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since 10 May 2024.
  • Since 20 May, at least 1,250 people (250 households) have been displaced, according to IOM reports. Due to communications disruptions and access challenges, these reported figures are underestimates and are likely to increase.
  • According to health partners, at least 700 civilians have been injured and 85 people have been killed during the armed clashes since 10 May.
  • In Al Fasher South Hospital - the only working hospital in the state - only around 10 days of supplies left and there is an urgent need to restock the hospital.
  • Humanitarian access into Al Fasher has been severely constrained following the disruption of the Kosti supply route since mid-December 2023. More than a dozen trucks carrying aid for more than 121,000 people have been trying to reach Al Fasher for over a month.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in Al Fasher on 10 May 2024. A rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and increasing protection concerns have been observed since then, with an increased frequency of armed clashes affecting parts of the city that had been relatively free of direct conflict impacts until now.

Ongoing fighting in the northern and eastern parts of Al Fasher, together with attacks on villages to the west of the city, have pushed civilians towards the city where they now reportedly shelter in extremely overcrowded gathering sites throughout the southern neighbourhoods of the town. Since 20 May, at least 1,250 people (250 households) have been displaced from the Gashlack police station, Al Gadi, and Azama neighbourhoods in Al Fasher town to other locations within Al Fasher locality, according to IOM. The situation on the ground reportedly remains tense and unpredictable.

At least 700 injured civilians arrived at the Al Fasher South Hospital, of whom 85 have died, MSF has reported. Due to the intensity of the fighting and lack of safe passage for civilians, it is anticipated that the number of reported casualties will rise. Medical supplies at the South Hospital are running out, with only around 10 days of supplies left and there is an urgent need to restock the hospital once safe access and authorizations permit supply vehicles to reach the area.

Even before the latest escalation, the conditions in IDP gathering sites in Al Fasher indicated severe deprivation with insufficient shelter and hygiene infrastructure and supplies, and significant shortfalls in humanitarian services and assistance due to access constraints. The expansion of the clashes towards south-eastern neighbourhoods as well as some direct shelling of the western and central parts of the town indicate a significant broadening of the direct impacts of the conflict on the civilian population remaining in the city. As indiscriminate bombing encroaches on different neighbourhoods of the city, the increased use of civilian infrastructure and objects for military purposes by parties to the conflict and the increased presence of armed elements throughout the town exacerbates protection risks faced by civilians.

Humanitarian partners have received reports that indicate that basic necessities, including water, are out of reach for a growing proportion of the civilian population due to the ongoing fighting. Key roads out of Al Fasher are either blocked, subject to significant barriers to movement, or unsafe due to the presence and activities of parties to the conflict and armed groups. While some movement out of Al Fasher on the southern roads towards Zamzam, Abu Zeriga, Dar El Salam and Nyala is reportedly ongoing, other reports indicate that those travelling are subject to screening at checkpoints. There are also reports of imposition of fees on civilians attempting to move out of the city.

The outbreak of fighting and insecurity adds to long-running access constraints due to disruptions in crossline and cross-border humanitarian movements. So far in 2024, only 39 trucks reached Al Fasher via crossline and cross-border. The trucks transported health, nutrition, and food supplies for an estimated 186,000 people. Some 1,500 MT of non-food items (NFIs) at the Tine crossing point have been waiting for approval for onward movement for three weeks, depriving more than 94,000 people of assistance. In addition, the 13 trucks carrying health, nutrition and NFI supplies for over 121,000 people dispatched from Port Sudan on 3 April are still en route to Al Fasher due to delays in getting clearances at checkpoints, and more recently insecurity.

In a statement, the UN Secretary-General reminded all parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and called on them to allow the civilian population to move to safer areas. He also requested that all parties facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Al Fasher, across Darfur, and Sudan.

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