Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis, Conflict Impact & Civilian Needs - Press Conference | United Nations

Following reports of intensified fighting in El-Fasher, in the Darfur region of Sudan, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, Denise Brown, today (27 Oct) called on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias “to allow safe passage” for civilians to leave the city. Brown reported that yesterday, “a few hundred people arrived in trucks just outside of Tawilah” and noted that “civilians escaping, fleeing El-Fasher are often held for ransom along the road, part of the road being controlled by militia.” She stressed that “there are civilians in El-Fasher. It is a fact,” and said, “these individuals are increased risk of being injured or killed. Brown said, “the RSF needs to demonstrate respect for international humanitarian law and let those people leave. Alternatively, they need to let us in, and we have asked for that multiple times,” and noted that “more than 120 aid workers” have been killed since the war began in April 2023. She said, “the blockade of humanitarian assistance and food aid in particular is tantamount to using starvation as a weapon of war,” and “people are getting on a very dangerous road because we have not been given guarantees of safe passage.” Brown said, “it's the people of the Sudan who are suffering the consequences of this war. Those consequences are widespread. They're affecting not only individuals, but families and communities. And a peaceful solution needs to be found,” adding that a humanitarian response alone “is not a solution to the war.”


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