The United Nations called for safe passage for “trapped and terrified” civilians in Sudan’s El-Fasher, after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces claimed Sunday they had seized full control of the city.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said he was deeply alarmed by reports of civilian casualties and forced displacement in fighting in El-Fasher, which was the last major urban centre in western Darfur not in the RSF’s hands.
“With fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified — shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety,” Fletcher said in a statement.
“Civilians must be allowed safe passage and be able to access aid,” he added.
“Those fleeing to safer areas must be allowed to do so safely and in dignity.”
Those who did stay, including local responders, had to be protected, while attacks on civilians, hospitals and humanitarian operations “must stop immediately”, he said.
Around 260,000 civilians, half of them children, remain trapped in El-Fasher without aid or food.
“Safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be allowed to reach all civilians in need,” said Fletcher.
“We have lifesaving supplies ready, but intensified attacks have made it impossible for us to get aid in,” he added.
He called for an immediate ceasefire in El-Fasher, across Darfur and throughout Sudan, and said those responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law had to be held to account.
Sudan’s two-year war, has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people.
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© Agence France-Presse
