The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached alarming levels, with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) warning of a severe escalation in North Darfur as ongoing fighting devastates communities and displaces thousands.
According to WHH, the situation in and around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, has become “unbearable.”
In recent days alone, an estimated 26,000 people have fled the violence, many seeking refuge in nearby towns such as Tawila, while others remain trapped without food, water, or shelter.
“Our teams are witnessing a sharp rise in internal displacement. Most families arriving in Tawila are completely exhausted, traumatised, and have lost everything,” said Mathias Mogge, WHH’s Secretary General.
“The humanitarian situation is catastrophic. More than 560,000 people are living in dire conditions, without food, water, shelter, or medical care, and are in urgent need of assistance. The international community must urgently increase financial support for the people of Sudan.”
In Tawila, about 60 kilometres from El Fasher, local systems are completely overwhelmed by the influx of internally displaced people (IDPs).
WHH reports that water and food supplies have collapsed, sanitation facilities are grossly inadequate, and medical services are stretched beyond capacity.
Women and girls are particularly at risk amid deteriorating security conditions, while cholera and other communicable diseases are spreading rapidly due to unsafe water and poor hygiene.
Currently, WHH has 13 staff members in Tawila and 45 personnel across North Darfur working tirelessly to provide food aid, cash assistance, clean drinking water, hygiene kits, latrines, and emergency shelters.
Despite these efforts, Mogge emphasised that needs far outweigh available resources.
WHH is preparing to expand operations in Tawila and other affected areas and plans to resume aid delivery in El Fasher as soon as security conditions improve.
“Humanitarian assistance must never become a target,” Mogge urged.
“Civilians and humanitarian personnel must be protected at all times. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure safe access for aid delivery.”
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has displaced millions and left vast regions without basic services, continues to spiral into one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian emergencies.
Without an immediate scale-up of assistance and protection for civilians, aid agencies warn that countless lives remain at risk.