Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot: Al Fasher and Zamzam (As of 8 April 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, has been under siege since May 2024. Violent clashes occur almost daily in Al Fasher, Dar As Salam, Kebkabiya and Kutum localities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as their affiliated forces. These confrontations are marked by gunfire, artillery shelling, drone strikes and airstrikes. In recent months, escalating hostilities have increased population movements, with people fleeing to neighbouring communities or seeking refuge in Chad.

The humanitarian situation is dire. Of an estimated population of over 900,000 in Al Fasher locality, some 700,000 have been internally displaced due to escalating violence, placing severe strain on already limited resources. This figure includes the entire population of Zamzam camp, estimated at around 500,000 people. By May 2025, close to six in 10 people in Al Fasher are projected to face acute food insecurity, with around 170,000 in IPC Phase 5 (catastrophe/famine) and 342,000 in IPC Phase 4 (emergency) levels.

Health-care infrastructure has nearly collapsed, with many facilities damaged by shelling, looted and lacking essential supplies. Starvation and acute malnutrition are rampant, and stocks of therapeutic food are nearly depleted. Fuel shortages have further reduced access to clean water, with reports from Zamzam camp indicating that residents wait up to two days to fill a single jerrycan.

Despite immense challenges, humanitarian organizations are coordinating multisectoral responses to address urgent needs in Al Fasher and Zamzam camp, while contending with severe access constraints. In February, two humanitarian health workers were killed in Zamzam camp, underscoring the extreme risks faced by aid personnel. Access to essential supplies – including food, water and medical aid – has been effectively cut off. Key supply routes, including the Tawila-Zamzam-Al Fasher corridor, remain blocked, leading to acute shortages of critical resources.

Médecins Sans Frontières suspended operations in the camp on 24 February 2025, due to escalating violence, and other humanitarian organizations have been unable to deliver trucks carrying vital aid supplies. On 26 February 2025, the World Food Programme announced it was forced to pause food distributions in Zamzam camp due to intense fighting. Under current conditions, only local traders can bring in limited food supplies using donkey carts, driving severe shortages and price spikes, with 1 kilogram of rice reportedly selling for as much as 10,000 SDG ($4) — more than twice the pre-war price. The continued inaccessibility of key routes is severely hampering relief efforts, with infrastructure conditions expected to deteriorate further as the rainy season approaches. The Humanitarian Coordinator continues to engage with all parties to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian assistance and the freedom of movement for affected populations.