Urgent action needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in North Darfur.
In response to disturbing reports of mass civilian casualties and targeting of humanitarian responders in El Fasher, Plan International's CEO Reena Ghelani said:
"We are horrified by the numerous reports of systematic targeting and killings of hundreds of civilians and humanitarian responders in El Fasher. The brutality of the siege that has led to starvation, the denial of access to humanitarian aid and the deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers, and other violations is just too much. All warring parties should immediately commit to a ceasefire as the only way to save lives.
Around 260,000 people still remain trapped in El Fasher with reports on the ground suggesting most of the civilians in the city are choosing to stay put in the city for fear of death while fleeing the violence.
All armed actors need to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to ensure safe passage for civilians seeking safety from the fighting in El Fasher and to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian responders. There must be accountability for the denial of access to aid and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Over the past few days, the massive displacement of civilians from El Fasher to Tawila due to the escalation of fighting has overwhelmed the capability of humanitarian responders to meet the growing humanitarian needs.
Testimonies from Tawila speak of thousands of civilians arriving on foot from El Fasher, severely exhausted from the long journey by foot, showing signs of malnourishment to the extent that their physical appearance makes them unrecognisable to their relatives and many bearing injuries.
Many of the children arriving are in distress, having been separated from their families and in urgent need of protection and psychosocial support.
Plan International is scaling up its response in Tawila to provide lifesaving food, dignity kits for girls and protection services to unaccompanied children as well as support for survivors of gender-based violence. We are also establishing child-friendly spaces to accommodate the influx of children and especially those unaccompanied.
However, with thousands of arrivals expected in the coming days, humanitarian needs are surpassing the ability of humanitarian actors to provide timely and quality services. We urgently need more funding to continue to help those affected.
Hayley Cull, Deputy CEO of Plan International Australia, said:
"People are arriving in Tawila with gunshot wounds, exhausted from carrying their loved ones for days, and suffering such acute starvation that their own family members cannot recognise them. Children are traumatised and they cannot sleep. No child deserves to experience such horror. What they deserve is our attention, our collective outrage, and our support."
"With thousands more people expected to arrive from El Fasher in the coming days, we are appealing for urgent funding. Plan International is working in North Darfur and in other affected regions across Sudan, providing lifesaving food, support for survivors of gender-based violence, and protection for children who have experienced things no child ever should."
