Women and girls in El Fasher, North Darfur, are facing extreme hardship due to a prolonged siege that has lasted over 500 days. The area has been cut off from humanitarian aid and protection, resulting in famine-level conditions, indiscriminate attacks, and severe violations of international law. According to the United Nations, at least 125 civilian deaths have been recorded in the area over the past three weeks, including summary executions.
The siege has led to the displacement of over 600,000 people from El Fasher and its surrounding camps since April 2023. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, with many facing starvation, sexual violence, and limited access to medical care. The International Peace Committee has classified the conditions in El Fasher as famine-level, with families resorting to eating animal feed and tree leaves due to depleted food stocks.
The conflict has also resulted in the destruction of over 40 health and educational facilities in the state, leaving pregnant women without access to emergency obstetric care and survivors of rape without medical services. Women-led organizations and volunteers are working to address the needs of women and girls, but they require direct and sustained support to continue their efforts.
The United Nations has condemned the violations against women and girls in El Fasher, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The organization is also demanding the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the area, in compliance with Security Council Resolution 2736. The resolution requires an end to the siege of El Fasher and South Kordofan, protection of civilians, especially women and girls, and civilian premises.
The situation in El Fasher is critical, with women and girls facing a daily struggle for survival. The international community must take urgent action to address the crisis, providing support to women-led organizations and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. The suffering of women and girls in El Fasher must be met with decisive global action, and the world cannot remain silent in the face of such extreme hardship.
