The city of El Fasher in North Darfur has become the epicentre of Sudan's brutal conflict, where civilians endure daily terror under siege conditions that have pushed the population to the brink of starvation. One man's harrowing experience reveals the human cost of a war that the international community has largely overlooked.
The Daily Struggle for Survival
For months, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have maintained a tight siege around El Fasher, systematically cutting off essential supplies and subjecting the city's inhabitants to relentless attacks. The situation has created what aid agencies describe as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing acute food shortages and medical facilities collapsing under the strain.
Residents describe living in constant fear, with shelling and aerial bombardments becoming routine occurrences. Markets that once bustled with activity now stand empty, while the sound of gunfire has replaced the ordinary noises of city life. The siege has transformed a once-vibrant urban centre into a landscape of destruction and despair.
A City Cut Off from Aid
Humanitarian access has been severely restricted, with aid convoys unable to reach those most in need. Medical supplies have run critically low, forcing doctors to make impossible choices about who receives treatment. Chronic illnesses go untreated, and simple infections become life-threatening without proper medication.
The water infrastructure has been deliberately targeted, leaving families to queue for hours at the few functioning wells. Electricity has become a distant memory for most residents, compounding the difficulties of daily survival. Food prices have skyrocketed, placing even basic nourishment out of reach for many families who have exhausted their savings and resources.
The Human Cost of Conflict
Personal accounts from within the city paint a devastating picture of the human impact. Families describe watching their children weaken from hunger while being powerless to help them. The psychological toll is immense, with many residents suffering from trauma and anxiety disorders with no access to mental health support.
The conflict has displaced millions across Sudan, creating one of the largest internal displacement crises globally. Those who remain in El Fasher face impossible choices: risk starvation by staying or brave dangerous escape routes where violence awaits. Many have lost everything - their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones - in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
International response has been inadequate despite repeated warnings from humanitarian organisations. The world's attention has drifted elsewhere, leaving Sudanese civilians to face what many describe as a slow-motion catastrophe unfolding away from cameras and headlines.
