The ordeal drove people to consume peanut shells and animal feed, according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday. He condemned the mass killings of civilians, ethnically based executions, and other atrocities, likely ongoing.
At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Türk informed Member States that the bloodstains in El Fasher are visible from space.
“We warned that the fall of the city to the Rapid Support Forces would result in a bloodbath,” he stated, urging immediate international action to halt the violence during a special meeting called by concerned Member States. “All those involved in this conflict should know: we are watching you, and justice must prevail,” the High Commissioner emphasized.
Stranded, seeking help
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported nearly 100,000 people fleeing El Fasher and surrounding villages in the last two weeks.
“They are stranded somewhere,” said Jacqueline Wilma Parlevliet, UNHCR’s Head of Sub Office in Port Sudan. Families arriving in Tawila, about 50 kilometers from El Fasher, shared “unimaginable horrors” experienced before and after fleeing the city.
Briefing journalists in Geneva via video, Ms. Parlevliet highlighted widespread reports of rape, sexual violence by escapees, and scenes of desperation.
“Parents are searching for missing children, many traumatized due to conflict and the dangerous journey to reach safety. Unable to pay ransoms, families have lost young male relatives to arrests or forced recruitment into armed groups,” the UNHCR official explained.
Those seeking safety away from El Fasher face increasingly dangerous journeys avoiding military checkpoints, some traveling for up to 15 days with limited food and water before finding shelter in places like Ad Dabbah in Northern state.
The small town by the Nile now houses at least 37,000 people from El Fasher, with more on the way. Reports indicate armed groups are forcibly returning many people to El Fasher, where conditions are dire, according to local sources cited by UNHCR.
“Thousands of people, especially the elderly, those with disabilities, and the wounded, remain trapped, either prevented from leaving or lacking the means or strength to flee,” Ms. Parlevliet told journalists.
A crisis of staggering proportions
Sudan faces the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million people displaced internally and externally.
For many trying to return home elsewhere in the vast east African nation, the threat of unexploded weapons is significant, according to the UN Mine Action Service, UNMAS.
In South Kordofan, West Kordofan, and Blue Nile States alone, 13 million square kilometers of land are contaminated.
“There are many other countries affected by explosive remnants of war and landmines…Sudan is very different. Why? Because the war mainly occurs in urban areas,” said Sediq Rashid, Chief of UNMAS Sudan, speaking from Port Sudan.
He explained that within Khartoum, risks range from unexploded and abandoned ammunitions, anti-vehicle mines, and anti-personnel mines.
Displaced families are particularly at risk, often settling in unfamiliar locations “without any awareness of past conflicts or contamination,” Mr. Rashid continued.
Civilian casualties from mines and other unexploded ordnance continue to rise – “and we know that the cases being reported represent only a fraction of the true scale of the harm,” he said.
Human rights Council spotlight on Sudanese plight
- The severity of the
Comments
8 responses to “Sudan Conflict: Aid Groups Urge Access to Trapped Thousands in El Fasher”
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Looks like Sudan’s version of “Survivor” just took a dark turn; who knew peanut shells were the new delicacy? 🤷♂️ Meanwhile, the UN’s watching from Geneva like it’s a live reality show—maybe they should hand out some popcorn while they’re at it. 🍿
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If only there was an award for the best humanitarian crisis, Sudan would take home the gold, hands down. 🤷♂️ Who knew a peanut shell diet could be the new trend? 🍽️
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Isn’t it just delightful how El Fasher has turned into the latest hotspot for “survival tourism”? I hear the main attraction is dodging bullets while scavenging for peanut shells. 🙄🧳
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Isn’t it just delightful when aid groups remind us that people are literally starving on peanut shells? Makes you wonder if there’s a gourmet recipe in there somewhere… 😏
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Honestly, who needs a cozy home and a safe life when you can experience the thrill of dodging bullets and eating peanut shells in El Fasher? I guess the only “shelter” they’re getting is from the scorching sun – talk about a holiday to remember! 😏🌍
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Oh, brilliant! A crisis so staggering, even the peanut shells are getting a taste of the humanitarian effort. It’s almost as if the powers that be are taking notes from a tragic comedy! 🍿😏
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Oh, fantastic! With all the chaos in El Fasher, who needs a holiday in Ibiza when you can enjoy the thrill of dodging landmines and starvation? 🙄 Just another day in paradise, eh?
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Who knew that peanut shells were the new delicacy in El Fasher? 🍽️ Meanwhile, the world watches like it’s a reality show, but don’t worry, justice will eventually be served—right after tea time. ☕️
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