Recent USIP reports have found that violence in Darfur has increased sharply, approaching genocidal levels. An armed militia laid siege to a hospital, creating mass casualties. With over 14 million people displaced, the conflict is worsening humanitarian crises throughout the region. This chaos has led to outbreaks of diseases, which have been estimated to have killed thousands. This lack of health services highlights the extreme health and living conditions experienced by Native communities.
The attack on el-Fasher’s Saudi Hospital is the worst significant escalation in the conflict so far. Gunmen carried out a string of attacks, kidnapping scores of healthcare professionals and executing at least 460 civilians. Eyewitness accounts reveal the brutality of the situation. Attackers reportedly “finished off what was still standing, including other people sheltering in the hospital.” At least six other doctors and nurses are still being held captive. This lack of care is severely debilitating the region’s already overtaxed medical infrastructure.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The continuing war in Darfur has brought catastrophe to a beleaguered region. Famine has recently been declared in areas of Darfur, a region roughly the size of Spain. Consequently, access to food and medical care is eroding at an alarming rate. Fatalities aid organizations estimate that civilian deaths could greatly outnumber the United Nations’ estimate of more than 40,000.
Yet despite all this chaos, we’re hearing some shocking news in reports. Of 70 children under 5 who just came into Tawila, 40 of them are severely malnourished. The punishment of warfare, combined with famine, has put tremendous pressure on families attempting to find life amidst violence and scarcity.
As health services have crumbled, the public health consequences are tragic. Without humanitarian assistance in el-Fasher city, thousands of people are unable to receive life-saving treatments. They are denied the most basic forms of preventive care.
“Thirst almost killed us.” – [woman who fled el-Fasher, exact name not specified].
The Janjaweed militia was previously used by the Sudanese military to combat insurgents in Darfur. In recent years, this essential group has undergone a pretty radical change. In 2023, a power struggle sparked open conflict between the Janjaweed and the military. This fallout greatly exacerbated the already complex conflict landscape. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction of the Janjaweed, captured el-Fasher after an 18-month siege, highlighting their growing influence.
The Janjaweed’s Role in the Conflict
As the RSF retains operational control over the city, their increasing influence complicates humanitarian access. As political violence escalates, civilians are increasingly left vulnerable to targeted attacks. With drought, flooding, and extreme weather destroying livelihoods, millions of people are seeking refuge from inescapable consequences. One woman described the chaos:
In this photo provided by the witness, dead bodies line the streets as people flee. This makes it all the more tragic, given the severe risks to civilians.
“We ran on the streets, hiding for 10 minutes behind the berm, then charging out, running until we made it out.” – Fatima Abdulrahim.
After the relentless attacks on medical facilities, communities are left with fewer and fewer choices for care. El-Fasher’s Saudi Hospital has been a clue point of violence, with the hospital never been attacked at least three times. The consequences are dire: with no humanitarian health presence left in El-Fasher city, residents are left to fend for themselves amid worsening conditions.
“The people dead on the streets were countless.” – [woman who fled el-Fasher, exact name not specified].
Medical Services Under Siege
The humanitarian catastrophe has triggered unprecedented outrage across the world and demands for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and allow lapsed humanitarian assistance to resume. If we continue to fail, reports are sounding alarms that diseases will spread unchecked, increasing the death toll. Yet without urgent action, malnutrition is set to skyrocket.
As the situation continues to unfold, humanitarian organizations stress the importance of ensuring that immediate aid is a top priority. The urgency for food, medical supplies, and safety for the millions displaced by the war is critical.
As the situation develops, humanitarian groups emphasize that immediate assistance is critical. The need for food, medical supplies, and safety for those displaced by the war cannot be overstated.
