UN Official Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur, Citing Sexual Violence Against Women
A senior UN official has highlighted the escalating humanitarian crisis in Darfur, emphasizing the alarming use of women as instruments of war amid a surge in reported sexual violence, including dozens of confirmed rape cases in just one week.
In remarks to the press, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher stated that residents of El Fasher have fled violence and abuses in the region. He noted that civilians are escaping from sexual violence and assaults.
To evaluate the situation, a UN team visited the Tawila and Qurna areas, where they observed deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Fletcher reported that the risks were apparent, as one team member sustained injuries during the visit.
Fletcher indicated that the full scope of the crisis in El Fasher remains unclear due to ongoing tensions. However, he referenced survivor testimonies that detailed the horrific assaults and violations they have experienced recently.
In a related development, the Sudan Doctors Network reported on Sunday that 32 confirmed cases of rape were documented over the past week involving girls from El Fasher who reached Tawila.
The network stated via Facebook that its team recorded these incidents based on reliable medical and field information, noting that some assaults occurred in El Fasher following the invasion by the Rapid Support Forces, while others took place as victims attempted to flee to Tawila.
It is important to note that the Rapid Support Forces gained control of El Fasher, the last major stronghold of the Sudanese army in Darfur, on October 26, after an 18-month siege. The UN has reported that this takeover has resulted in massacres, rapes, looting, and mass displacement.
The Sudanese government has accused the Rapid Support Forces of killing 2,000 civilians. In response, the Rapid Support Forces have denied committing war crimes but acknowledged "some excesses" and announced an investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced approximately 12 million people, leading to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.
