UN relief chief condemns killings, rape and famine in El-Fasher at UNSC Sudan meeting

Key Concepts

Al Fasher Crisis: Catastrophic humanitarian situation in Al Fasher, Sudan, marked by widespread executions, rape, mutilation, and killings with impunity.
Rapid Support Forces (RSF): Military group reportedly responsible for atrocities in Al Fasher and other parts of Sudan.
Humanitarian Pause: A requested cessation of hostilities to allow for the safe delivery of aid.
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): A UN fund used to provide rapid humanitarian assistance.
Sudan Humanitarian Fund: A fund managed by OCHA to support humanitarian partners in Sudan.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL): A set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
Sexual Violence: Systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual assault against women and girls.
Food Insecurity: A state where individuals lack regular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
Regional Contagion: The spread of the crisis to neighboring countries, leading to mass displacement.
Accountability: The principle of holding individuals and entities responsible for their actions, particularly war crimes and human rights violations.
Humanitarian Access: The ability of humanitarian organizations to reach populations in need without obstruction.
Apathy: A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, described as a contributing factor to the global response to the Sudan crisis.

Al Fasher: A Descent into Hell

The emergency relief coordinator, Mr. Tonri, describes Al Fasher as having descended into an "even darker hell" due to credible reports of widespread executions following the entry of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters into the city. He emphasizes that the international community was aware of the impending crisis. The situation is characterized by extreme depravity, with women and girls being raped, and people being mutilated and killed with "utter impunity." The victims are not benefiting from resolutions or statements of concern.

Attacks on Healthcare and Displacement

A stark example of the war's brutality is the reported killing of almost 500 patients and their companions in a Saudi maternity hospital. This is highlighted as another instance of attacks on healthcare, demonstrating the "depravity with which this war has been fought." Tens of thousands of terrified and starving civilians are fleeing Al Fasher, many on foot towards Tawila, a location already overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. Those attempting to escape, predominantly women, children, and the elderly, face extortion, rape, and violence during their perilous journeys. Young men are being abducted or killed, and many are prevented from leaving the area.

Humanitarian Efforts and Obstacles

Despite the intensifying siege and attacks on civilians, humanitarian organizations have been pressing for a "humanitarian pause" in Al Fasher since July to facilitate the safe movement of life-saving convoys of food and medicines. However, these efforts have been blocked by the RSF. Tribute is paid to humanitarian organizations and host communities in Tawila for their support to the exhausted, traumatized, malnourished, and injured, while preparing for more arrivals.

Across Sudan, between January and August, the humanitarian community has reached 13.5 million people, despite significant threats and constraints. UN and international NGO staff are working with local partners in Darfur to provide emergency healthcare, treat malnourished children, distribute food, and combat diseases like cholera.

To scale up support in Tawila and across the four and a quarter regions, $20 million has been released from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This complements allocations from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which prioritizes NGO partners and, crucially, local responders who are at the forefront of the efforts.

Wider Crisis Across Sudan

The violence is not confined to Darfur. Deadly drone strikes have targeted markets in Kabia and Sarafra, areas understood to be under RSF control. Fierce fighting in North Kordofan state is causing new waves of displacement and endangering humanitarian responses, particularly around the state capital, El Obeid. Tragically, five Sudan Red Crescent volunteers were killed while supporting food distribution in Ba, North Kordofan, with three remaining missing. A drone strike in Mazub, North Kordofan, on October 17th, killed a significant number of civilians, including a prominent tribal leader.

In South Kordofan, Kadugli and Dilling have remained largely cut off from support, despite repeated assurances of humanitarian flights and hubs. However, a joint UN convoy recently reached both towns with essential supplies, building on a UNICEF convoy in August. The focus now is on establishing regular access.

Failure of Protection and International Law

The Sudan crisis is fundamentally a "failure of protection" and a failure to uphold international law. Sexual violence against women and girls is described as systematic, and deadly attacks against humanitarian workers are normalized. Atrocities are committed with an expectation of impunity, driven by a complete disregard for the most fundamental obligations of international humanitarian law.

Children are particularly at risk, with countless being forcibly recruited. Nearly one in five civilians killed in Al Fasher this month were children. Approximately 90% of children across Sudan lack access to formal education, and the war has reversed nearly 40 years of progress on child immunization, putting millions at risk of preventable diseases. The world is seen as having failed an entire generation.

Hunger and Regional Contagion

The crisis is also one of hunger, with famine confirmed and severe food insecurity across areas of intense fighting and challenging access. Three-quarters of women-headed households are food insecure, and over 24 million people (more than 40%) lack adequate food. Humanitarian teams in Tawila are witnessing traumatized individuals with shocking signs of malnutrition.

The regional contagion is growing, with over 4 million people seeking safety and humanitarian aid in neighboring countries. Organizations in Chad and the Central African Republic are preparing for large-scale movements into already overwhelmed camps and host communities.

Calls for Action and Support

Mr. Tonri applauds the work of the Quad and the US Special Envoy in efforts to end the conflict and urges the council to build on these efforts with tangible results. He implores the council and member states for support in three key areas:

Immediate and Robust Action to Stop Atrocities: This includes stopping the arming of violence, prioritizing the cessation of conflict over narrow political or commercial interests, ensuring safe passage for those wishing to leave Al Fasher, and protecting those who remain. Accountability for perpetrators of killing and sexual violence, as well as those giving orders and providing weapons, is essential. While the RSF has reportedly launched an investigation and made arrests, the ongoing news from Al Fasher makes it difficult to identify their commitment to civilian protection.
Full and Unimpeded Humanitarian Access: This is crucial for Al Fasher, Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan, and all of Sudan. Despite efforts to scale up aid delivery around Al Fasher, security guarantees are needed. Mr. Tonri admits that after almost a year in his role, his and the UN's ability to secure this access is limited. He states that simply asking to be allowed to do their jobs is not working and urges the council to demand unimpeded operations, including the deployment of national and international staff to areas of greatest need. The council is asked to exert pressure and hold the UN accountable for delivery, with the UN committing to provide facts on where and by whom access is being blocked. The expulsion of the World Food Program's country director and emergency coordinator by Sudanese authorities without explanation is highlighted as a point of fury.
Funding: As the year ends, 74% of the 2025 response plan remains unfunded, with even lower support for the regional refugee response plan. The impact is stark: reduced food rations, closing community kitchens, pregnant women delivering without medical help, and survivors of sexual violence left without dignity.

A Crisis of Apathy and a Call to Conscience

Mr. Tonri urges colleagues to study satellite imagery of Al Fasher, noting "blood on the sand," and to confront the world's "continued failure to stop this blood on the hands." He draws parallels to the horrors of Darfur 20 years ago but notes a different global reaction: resignation. This is also described as a "crisis of apathy."

He poses a direct question to the council and all involved: "What is it about this crisis that makes it so hard?" He questions whether previous generations of leaders would have been so impotent and asks what is not being done that could be. He challenges the current generation to take the actions that their successors will lament were not taken, urging vigor, courage, honesty, and collective purpose. He questions if the situation is "really too hard for us" and asks, "If not, where is our diplomacy? Where are our values? Where is our charter? And where is our conscience?"

He concludes by referencing the pledges made to save succeeding generations from war, reaffirm faith in human rights, dignity, and equality, and establish conditions for justice and international law. He implores the council to place these pledges on the road to Al Fasher as an apology, a rebuke, a challenge, and a promise.