"El Fasher Siege: Thousands on Brink of Disaster as Aid Strands Them"

Thousands Trapped in El Fasher Siege on Brink of Catastrophe The besieged city of El Fasher, Sudan has reached a critical point with over 250,000 residents facing severe malnutrition and destruction of homes due to prolonged artillery and drone attacks. According to reports from humanitarian organizations, the city, under siege for more than 500 days, is now considered uninhabitable, with humanitarian access blocked by the paramilitary RSF. The situation in El Fasher has been dire for months, with thousands of civilians trapped on the "edge of survival" amidst a shrinking urban area. A recent report from aid workers described the city as being on the brink of catastrophe, with many residents struggling to find food and shelter. The report also highlighted the severe impact on children, who are among the most vulnerable in the conflict. The siege has been ongoing since January 2022, when the RSF began attacking the city, which is considered the Sudanese army's last stronghold in the west of the country. According to a spokesperson for the RSF, the attacks were aimed at "liberating" the city from government control. However, the humanitarian impact has been devastating, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and thousands of residents forced to flee their homes. The destruction caused by the artillery and drone attacks has left many residents without access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. A recent survey conducted by aid workers found that over 70% of households in El Fasher are experiencing severe malnutrition, with many families struggling to find enough food to eat. The situation is further complicated by the fact that humanitarian organizations have been unable to access the city due to the RSF's blockade. According to Dr. Amira Abdalla, a Sudanese doctor who has worked in El Fasher for several years, "The situation in El Fasher is catastrophic. We are seeing children dying from malnutrition and hunger, and many more are at risk of starvation." She added that the humanitarian community is doing everything it can to support the residents of El Fasher, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of the crisis. As the situation in El Fasher continues to deteriorate, international pressure is growing on the RSF and the Sudanese government to allow humanitarian access to the city. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade, while human rights organizations are urging governments around the world to take action to prevent further suffering. The future of El Fasher remains uncertain, with many residents fearing that they may be forced to flee their homes in search of safety. As one resident told aid workers, "We have been trapped for over a year now. We don't know what will happen next." The international community must act quickly to address the crisis and prevent further suffering in this besieged city. Attribution: According to reports from humanitarian organizations A recent report from aid workers A spokesperson for the RSF A survey conducted by aid workers Dr. Amira Abdalla, a Sudanese doctor who has worked in El Fasher for several years The United Nations Human rights organizations This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.