UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised the alarm over the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan’s North Darfur, where deadly clashes, including recent assaults on displacement camps, have killed hundreds and displaced nearly 400,000 people.
In a statement released Wednesday, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was “appalled” by ongoing attacks in El-Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, and the recent devastation at the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps, where civilians and aid workers were reportedly killed. The Secretary-General expressed deep concern over reports of harassment and arbitrary detention of displaced persons at checkpoints.
Despite funding shortfalls and insecurity, UN agencies are trying to ramp up emergency assistance, particularly in Tawila, where most displaced people have sought refuge. Guterres described the humanitarian needs as “overwhelming” and urged the international community to act quickly to end the suffering and ensure accountability for grave violations.
The fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), ongoing since April 2023, has killed over 20,000 people and displaced 15 million, according to the UN—though some independent estimates place the death toll as high as 130,000.
