A cowardly assault hit a United Nations relief convoy in al-Fashir, North Darfur. Five of the members died, and at least 10 others were injured, which enormously hampered humanitarian efforts in a region that was already suffering from dire hunger. The incident underscores the precarious situation in Sudan, where ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
The RSF is Sudan’s largest paramilitary force and today occupies the Al Koma neighborhood. Lately, this historically contentious area has experienced an upsurge in violence. Other local activists indicated that an air strike in Al Koma earlier this week was responsible for several civilian deaths. This tragic incident has compounded the already grim situation of the residents. The army-RSF two-year conflict has displaced over two million people, with many fleeing to neighboring countries. In fact, eighty-six million people are experiencing crisis-level hunger today.
Overnight, an attack specifically targeted the UN convoy. This attack practically halted food deliveries essential for children and families who are on the brink of starvation in al-Fashir. The region is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of individuals at “high risk of malnutrition and starvation” if fresh supplies do not arrive soon. Aid efforts have frequently come under fire during the ongoing war, complicating delivery mechanisms and putting countless lives at risk.
The United Nations has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, emphasizing the attack’s impact on humanitarian operations across the region.
“Five members of the convoy were killed and several more people were injured. Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged,” – UN children’s agency and the World Food Programme.
Due to the ongoing violence and instability, we’re now working in an environment where delivering this crucial aid gets riskier by the day. Fighting continues to escalate between the Sudanese army and the RSF. In this context, the international community faces greater pressure than ever to address the acute humanitarian needs resulting from this conflict.
